Royal Ascot-bound newcomer lands Navan's opener

Unexpected Issues landed a gamble in Navan's opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden on debut today, scoring for owner/trainer Fozzy Stack and jockey Seamie Heffernan.

Backed from 8/1 this morning and returned 2/1 favourite, the Starspangledbanner-sired filly was slowly into stride but soon found her feet and eventually raced prominently before battling to beat Heavens Gate by a half-length.

Stack commented “she's going to be an early two-year-old so I suppose we'll run maybe once more and think about something in Ascot for her.

“Her brother (Castle Star, currently standing at Kilkenny's Capital Stud) was a very good horse but got beaten first time out, so she's done better than him!”

He added “she was a little bit green, a little bit slow away and then ran around a bit. She should come forward for that as she's only worked once on grass so should improve.

“I was in the car with Seamie (Heffernan) coming up so I'll talk more in depth with him going home but if you get five (furlongs) here, you'll get six most places.”

“We might look for a winners' race, we'll see what's there and how she comes out of it.”

Quotes from Gary Carson