Edvardo justifies favouritism under Flanagan

Top-weight Edvardo justified favouritism in the McManus Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Sean Flanagan for Harry Kelly and owner Sandra Murphy.

Successful on his penultimate start at Navan, the six-year-old son of Oscar finished third to Luckyinmilan on his most recent outing at Thurles.

Sent off the 13/8 favourite today he raced mainly in second as Mick The Jiver attempted to make all.

The winner was pushed along approaching the straight and he soon came back on the bridle, hitting the front after two out, before keeping on well under pressure on the run-in, going on to score by a length and a half.

Mick The Jiver, who made a costly mistake two out, had to settle for second under Phillip Enright for Eoghan O'Grady, and he was returned at 11/2 (available at 12's in place this morning).

Harry Kelly said afterwards: "He was weak and immature last year and is still raw enough. He'll be fine in time though and we'll see how he is after this.

"He was too keen in Thurles the last day when the race was too soon for him but we'll give him a little break between runs now.

"I'll look for something similar next."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes