Easy win for Gerdago in opener at Navan

Gerdago put in an impressive display to take the opener at Navan, the Follow Navan Racecourse On Facebook 3yo Maiden Hurdle, under Eddie O’Connell for Ken Condon.

The son of Aussie Rules finished third and second on his first two starts over hurdles at Thurles and Down Royal respectively, but he made it third time lucky over flights this afternoon, scoring at the odds of 3/1 (9/2 this morning and from 7/2 on-course).

Having disputed the lead in the early stages, the victorious bay gelding hit the front after the fourth flight, and despite making a mistake at three and two out, he drew clear before the last to come home an easy thirteen length winner. Moss Street kept on to take second at 16/1 under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott, while the even money favourite Indian Icon (who had the beating of the winner on Thurles form) finished a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Bryan Cooper for Dessie Hughes.

Ken Condon said afterwards: "It wasn’t ideal that he had to make it. Eddie said he was still leery in front. He is a real strong stayer.

"He kind of flatted the third and second last. His jumping is a concentration thing, but he stays well and keeps going, and he is improving from run to run.

"We were thinking about the Fred Winter before today, but I might run him in a graded race in Fairyhouse in early December first, or there is one at Christmas for him.

"His owner Raymond Doyle is a great supporter of ours and that is my first winner for him, and he is a breeder from Blackwood House Stud."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham