Hayes finds the key to Nutz

Chris Hayes' decision to stay wide on Half Nutz reaped rewards as he ran out a convincing winner of the €30,000 Foran Equine Irish EBF Nursery at Navan.

Sheila Lavery 's charge was draw out in stall 12 and stayed on the outer in the extended five furlong contest, making all the running.

Hayes asked his mount for an effort over a furlong out and despite drifting left under pressure the 14/1 shot stuck on well to record a length-and-a-half success over In From The Cold

The winner had been well held in sixth on his handicap debut over the minimum trip here a fortnight ago.

Lavery said: “This horse has been confusing me. His home work has been very good and he’s got loads of talent.

“Chris said not to fight with him and he’s a bit of coward so being out on his own probably suited. I’d say just match practice more than anything has helped him.

“He’ll go on his holidays and Chris said we’ll have plenty of fun with him next year.

“They are a great syndicate (Woodfarm Racing) and have kept faith with me. Fran Kennedy bought him as a pinhook and didn’t sell him so he put a syndicate together.”

There was a bit of drama a furlong-and-a-half from home as Gold Brocade appeared to clip heels and almost came down. She did well to recover and finish fifth.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)