Advanced Virgo and Jonathan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
The former Charles Byrnes-trained Advanced Virgo upset the odds when making a successful start for new connections in the Way To Paris At Coolagown Stud Hurdle.
The dual-purpose gelding, now in the care of Anthony McCann and sporting the familiar black and red colours of Rita Shah, was gaining a sixth career victory but was friendless in the market for this two-mile conditions event and was sent off at 40/1. Cayd Boy set the pace but the 4/5 favourite made a mistake two out and was headed by the smooth travelling Advanced Virgo, who was ridden out after the last by Jonathan Moore to score by a length and a quarter. Gibraltar the only ride on the afternoon for champion jockey Paul Townend, took the runner-up spot with Cayd Boy finding little under pressure a further four lengths away in third.
McCann said, "I only have him seven weeks and we were disappointed he didn't get into the County Hurdle and missed out by two but his actual trip to Cheltenham was a bit of a holiday for him. Maybe in hindsight it worked out for the best.
"We were very very happy with him and couldn't believe it was such a small field, although we were a bit concerned about the ground. However he won his maiden hurdle for Charles (Byrnes) on good ground so we were confident enough and I couldn't believe the price he was.
"He was bought to go chasing later in the year and for a Holy Roman Emperor he is a hell of a jumper and he stays."
(TW & AM)
