McCreery unearths another treasure

Lovejoy (18/1 - 12s) made a winning debut at Navan today, as the Willie McCreery trained, homebred filly landed the opening Arkle Bar Median Auction Maiden under jockey Nathan Crosse.

Carrying bottom weight of 8st6lbs, the daughter of Gregorian was quickly into stride and made all, eventually holding the late challenge of 11/10 favourite Lan Cinnte by a head.

McCreery later said "she had been a bit keen at home so the whole thing was trying to settle her but that was a bit of a waste of time today! Nathan (Crosse) was good on her and she loved that ground.

"This year I'm trying to find my way with her and next year will be her year.”

He added “she's a half-sister to Loveday and my wife Amanda bred her. It is a great family and every one of them has won and Loveday was second in two Listed races and third in a Listed race last year as a two-year-old.

“I'm delighted to get another win for the family and Amanda has a yearling filly, a half-sister by Bungle Inthejungle and a colt foal by Bungle Inthejungle.

"She's the first of the family that I thought might get six (furlongs) being by Gregorian but I'm trying to get her to stay five! She's just doing too much early on."

Lovejoy was a 1980s/90s television comedy-drama mystery series with the title character being a trickster and swindling art and antiques dealer.

Quotes from Michael Grahams