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- Third time lucky for 'smart' Degraves
Donal Murphy
Third time lucky for 'smart' Degraves
Degraves and Donnacha O'Brien pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing
Degraves made it third time lucky in the Welcome To Navan Racecourse Maiden, scoring under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph.
An eye-catching fourth on debut at the Curragh in August, the son of Camelot since finished third to Sinawaan at the Co Kildare venue.
Sent off a 13/8 joint-favourite this afternoon, the bay colt was settled behind the leaders, taking closer order from early in the straight.
He was pushed along to lead over a furlong from home and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, going on to prevail by two and a half lengths.
Newcomer Chiricahua (12s in early shows and returned a 13/8 joint-favourite) ran on strongly to take second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, while Crassus (8/1) was a short head back in third.
"He did it nicely. The form of his last run worked out really well so he was probably entitled to do that but I think he's a smart horse," said Donnacha O'Brien.
"He had no problem with the ground, he seemed fine on it and galloped through it well.
"I think he'll get a bit further but he's not slow. He quickens well, travelled really smooth, so I think a mile is probably fine for him at the minute."
Closely related to numerous winners, Degraves was bought for 92,000 pounds as a yearling.
With this success, Donnacha O'Brien closed the gap on Colin Keane in the race to be crowned champion jockey, with the score now 95-91.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson