Royal County the star in a driving finish at Navan

Royal County Star picked the day when the clocks were put forward an hour to produce a return to his best form with an illuminating display at Proudstown on Saturday to win the grade three An Uaimh Chase. The Tony Martin-trained gelding won the 2007 Troytown Chase in fine style, but hadn"t run since he pulled up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury last November. Owned by the Dunsany Racing Syndicate which includes legendary former Meath full-back Jack Quinn along with Francis Smyth and Pat Dunne, Royal County Star was partnered by David Casey. Five of the seven runners still had a chance on the run-in, but the late-surging Royal County Star got the better of the Tony McCoy-partnered Glenfinn Captain by a head and Noel Meade"s Watson Lake. Glenfinn Captain was McCoy"s only ride at the meeting following the defections of Flemensford and Checkpointcharlie owing to ground conditions which also meant the withdrawal of Meade"s Aran Concerto in the last race on the card. In-form Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch added another winner to his tally at Navan on Saturday with End Of The Affair. The filly won twice on the flat at Gowran Park last year and made a winning debut over jumps for Kilcock-based trainer VC Ward. Lynch produced the 16/1 shot to lead approaching the last flight and she stayed on to beat Pistol Flash and College Daisy in the opening race. Navan jockey Andrew Thornton was on the mark at Downpatrick on Sunday when Oh So Humbel scored at his local track in a hurdle race. Trainer Brian Hamilton had considered withdrawing the seven-year-old due to the ground, but the horse handled the conditions well for the Meath rider. 'I was going to withdraw Oh So Humbel because of the fast ground, but had a rethink at the last minute,' said Hamilton. 'This horse has only one way of running, from the front, and will run at Fairyhouse next,' he added. At Leopardstown on the flat on Snday, the Tom McCourt-trained Giant Slalom (10-1) swooped late in the day to take top honours under Martin Harley for the Stamullen handler. Bohermeen jockey Johnny Murtagh took the last race with Rockhampton for Aidan O"Brien. Rockhampton got O"Brien off the mark for the current season by holding off David Wachman"s Pirate Ship by over a length. It was third time lucky for the son of Galileo which had two starts last term and was installed as a 12/1 chance (from 25s) for the Derby.