American Mike and Jack Kennedy head for home© Photo Healy Racing
Today was definitely a going day for American Mike who saw off Nick Rockett to land the Grade 2 William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase in Navan.
The 11/8 favourite Minella Cocooner led a hard-at-work Favori De Champdou and American Mike towards the home bend in this staying assignment as Nick Rockett took closer order in fourth in the straight.
As the field tackled three out, it was American Mike who jumped into the lead from Minella Cocooner. He increased his advantage before the next, but Nick Rockett was far from done with as he improved to second there.
American Mike appeared to be be going up and down on the spot with a clear lead before the last and Nick Rockett saw his chance as he took aim and switched to the inner to tackle the leader over the last.
American Mike responded to pressure, though, and was always holding the challenger on the run-in as he toughed it out by a length and a-quarter at 7/2. Runner-up Nick Rockett went off at 6/4.
This brought up a double for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott who said:“ To be honest, he's probably one of the horses that makes me scratch my head more than any other. He keeps disappointing me and then he comes back with a good one again.
“He has obviously a big engine on his day, when he's right, but he's not easy to train.
“I thought Jack gave him a great ride.
“I don't know what I'm doing or where I'm going with him, he's a horse that baffles me.
“We've just tipped away with him steady at home and haven't over-worked him as he was very fit going to Christmas, but just didn't get home.
“He's in a few of the novice chases at Cheltenham and he could go for an Irish National. I don't know what I'm going to do with him to be honest.
“We'll enjoy today, he's won a graded race for Noel and Valerie (Moran, Bective Stud) at their local track, they are big supporters of Navan and the whole game.”
Paddy Power cut American Mike from 20/1 to 12/1 (non runner money back) for the Turners and shaved him from 5/1 to 4/1 (non runner money back) for the National Hunt Chase.
Elliott and Kennedy were also on the board with Brighterdaysahead in the Listed Apple's Jade Mares Novice Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
