REPORT FROM NAVAN:SUPER STAYER Yeats trailed in sixth as Alandi took top honours in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan yesterday.
The triple Ascot Gold Cup hero, making his seasonal debut in the Listed contest, was attempting to win the one-mile-five-furlong contest for a third consecutive year, but was off the bridle a long way from home.
The eight-year-old, sent off the 4 to 5 favourite, found virtually nothing when asked by Séamus Heffernan, and faded tamely out of contention – though he did blow heavily after the race.
The unbeaten Alandi, conversely, looked impressive. Having just his second career start, the 4 to 1 shot bisected British raiders Hindu Kush and The Betchworth Kid inside the final furlong to score by three-and-a-half lengths.
David Nicholls’s Hindu Kush was second, with The Betchworth Kid, trained by Michael Bell, third.
“We had plenty of offers to buy him as a hurdler at the end of last season, but we decided to hold on to him as he’s very well bred,” John Oxx said of his well-backed winner.
“He holds back in his homework, so he should improve from this. He’ll go for the Savel Beg Stakes (Leopardstown) next, followed possibly by the Curragh Cup. That would be the route we’d take.”
Heffernan is convinced Yeats will still be a force to be reckoned with in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. “I was a bit disappointed that he didn’t collect for me,” he said. “He just didn’t go with me down the dip. In fairness, you’d rather run him on softer than harder ground to start him off. He got a bit tired on the ground.
“When he gets his ground, and he’s a bit fitter, he’ll be a real competitor. I’m sure Aidan will have him right for the big day that matters.”
Jumbajukiba (9 to 2) made most of the running to lift the Navan Sprint Stakes for trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Fran Berry.
The four-time Group Three winner took this Listed race by a length and a three-quarters from 25 to 1 shot Croisultan, with 6 to 4 favourite Le Cadre Noir third.
“I’m thrilled with him. The ground is the key to him,” said Harrington, who was later to strike with The Bull Hayes in the Drumbarragh Stud Maiden. “We’ll campaign him now whenever the ground is right over trips from six furlongs to a mile.
“The mile stretches him a little bit, and we’ll probably next go for the Group Three Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh if the ground is soft.”
Trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen enjoyed a double with Cihangir (8 to 1) and Popspeed (4 to 1).
Smullen’s 1lb overweight made no difference as Cihangir swept to a smooth, four-length success in the Carnaross Mart Handicap.
The four-year-old, following up a recent Dundalk success, led over a furlong out and sprinted clear from Parc Aux Boules.
“The soft ground flattered her performance,” Weld said. “She runs for a new American owner (Anthony Bonomo) who has a lot of horses in New York. This is the first horse I’ve had run for him and now it’s won twice. He also has two two-year-olds with me.”
Popspeed later defeated Spring Horizon in the Rotary Club Navan Maiden.
Wealdmore Wave got in the last stride to land the odds in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
The well-backed 8 to 11 shot looked tapped for toe a furlong out, but responded well for Keagan Latham to pip Red Rebellion by a short head.
“I got a bit of a fright. The ground has changed a bit since declaration time and I was in two minds whether to run him or not,” said trainer Ger Lyons.
“Basically he wants top of the ground and seven furlongs to a mile, but he’s a very professional two-year-old.”
Marinebird (14 to 1) denied 3 to 1 favourite Morrigan in the opening Navan Chairman Supporting Special Olympics Ireland Handicap. The Jarlath Fahey-trained mare landed her second success from 18 starts by half a length under Davy Moran.
“We had a few niggling problems with her last year but the vets did a good job with her and we have her back now,” said Fahey. “Davy said she travelled well on the ground, and hopefully she can win another one if the handicapper isn’t too hard on her.”
