Lake Champlain wins Gowran opener

The Jessica Harrington trained Lake Champlain justified 11/4 favouritism to win the opening Golf Memberships 2016 From E600 3-Y-O Hurdle at Gowran today, winning under Mark Bolger.

The son of Manduro was improving his hurdles strike-rate to 50% with his second jumps win in four starts when going clear from the second last flight for a seven and a half lengths win over Crocosmia

Harrington later stated "we put the hood on him and he definitely settled better. The problem in Listowel was that he wouldn't settle.

"I know Masterchippy came down (when in contention at the third last) but he was sort of in control and then didn't do a whole lot in front.

"We'll keep going if the ground stays good. He might go back on the Flat as I think he's reasonably well handicapped and we could try and win a mile-and-a-half handicap."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson