Espoir opens account for Barcoe

Nouvel Espoir made his second start in handicap company a winning one at Navan this afternoon.

The Jimmy Barcoe-trained gelding had finished mid-division on his return to action at the Curragh 16 days ago and stepped forward to win the 47-65 contest over five furlongs today.

Dylan Browne McMonagle produced the 10/3 shot to challenge inside the final furlong and the Harry Angel gelding edged ahead close home to pip long-time leader Cuban Grey by a neck in a tight three-way finish. Havana Notion who had disputed inside the final furlong, was half a length back in third.

“Dylan gave him a brilliant ride and he came on nicely from the first day,” said Barcoe.

“He's a lovely horse and hopefully he can keep going forward. That was only his fifth run and he learnt a lot from the last day.

“Hopefully he'll progress as the year goes on.”