Jersey jumps to it at third attempt

C’est Jersey made it third time lucky for present connections when putting a couple of expensive reverses behind him to land the www.navanracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The well-backed 15/8 favourite had previously been let down by his jumping but the Willie Mullins-trained gelding put in a much better round here.

Ruby Walsh, replacing Paul Townend after the meeting at Ascot was called off this morning, sent the French import to the front at the final flight and he galloped on strongly to score by four and a quarter lengths. Black Key could find no extra on the run-in in second, with Monkshood another three and a quarter lengths away in third.

Mullins said, “He’s still got a bit to learn about his jumping. Its slow improvement but is improving. That was two and a half (miles) and he could even go out to three which might be easier for him.

“He shows us plenty at home and maybe he’s a horse that wants fences. Some of those horses that don’t have any regard for hurdles are better over fences. He shows me that he has a good engine at home, and maybe we are just getting the hang of the right tactics for him.

“The cheek-pieces just helped him to jump. He will get an Albert Bartlett entry but we’ll have a chat with the owners before we make any decision.

“Un De Sceaux definitely heads to Cheltenham next Saturday. It’s good that the BHA and Cheltenham were able to get together and reorganise the race.

“Whiteout should be able to make the race in Huntingdon, and Alelchi Inois goes for the cross country race in Cheltenham.”