Declan Lavery - number 1 win as a professional© Photo Healy Racing
Well touted teenage rider Declan Lavery gained his maiden win as a professional at Navan today, steering 5/2 chance Our Victoria to an easy win in the Le Grande Steeplechase.
Lavery, based with Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, had the daughter of Old Vic in a prominent position throughout and moved the mare into a clear lead early in the straight. Our Victoria stayed on strongly from two out to record a 16 lengths win over Heavenly Brook
Lavery, who was partnering his 15th career winner and in turn was having his claim reduced to 5lbs, later stated “I'm down to 5lbs after that and hopefully I can get going now.
“Our Victoria's jumping won today's race and she loved the ground and travelled away great. I was able to let her roll on a bit and at the fourth last, I knew I had plenty under me.”
Winning trainer Colin Bowe also stated “Our Victoria stays further than that but the stiff track here suited her. The ground is also important; she was beaten after three fences the last day and goes on soft but not on heavy ground.”
“There is a three miles handicap at Gowran next week but we'll see how she comes out of this first but the main aim is a mares' race at Clonmel, in which she fell last year when travelling well.
