Doyle & McManus make the perfect start with Geste Gran Geste got up on the line to deny Cask Mate in the opener at Navan this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. Successful on debut at Thurles, the French bred son of Poliglote was since bought by JP McManus, remaining under the care of Liz Doyle, her first horse for the powerful owner. Sent off the 9/4 second favourite this afternoon, he took closer order on the approach to three out, and was ridden in third at the last. He kept on strongly on the run-in, getting up on the line to beat Cask Mate by a short head. The runner-up was returned the 6/4 favourite under Sean Flanagan for Noel Meade, while newcomer Aforementioned (12/1) was another two and a half lengths back in third with Davy Russell aboard for Joseph O'Brien. Doyle said afterwards: "He was a bit green up the straight but seems to cope with the ground fine. I think there is a lot of improvement in him. "He was green in Thurles and on and off the bridle, and the same up the straight today. We like him a lot and hopefully he can go forward from here. "He's the horse who pulled up in the breeze up in Deauville where I bought him for six grand last summer. Since I've bought him, everywhere I've brought he's finished in front. We are just taking baby steps with him so hopefully he can improve again. "That's my first runner today for JP. I don't know where he will go next. Today was nervous enough!" Additional reporting by Alan Magee
