Velvet Elvis © Photo Healy Racing
Never a factor when a remote last of five in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase last weekend, it was a very different Velvet Elvis (17/2) that we saw on his return to Navan for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final.
Up in trip by a mile for his handicap debut, the Shirocco gelding was always handy under Darragh O’Keeffe and led coming out of the back straight on the final circuit. Ridden clear after two out, he stayed on well to beat Regina Dracones by four and a half lengths with a further length and three quarters back to History Of Fashion who stayed on well for third.
It was a first win over fences for the six-year-old who won twice over hurdles last term.
Winning trainer Tom Gibney, who also saddled the runner-up, said: “That was great. We're not a big stable and it was breaking my heart to have to run the two of them in the same race but conditions were absolutely made for both of them.
“Initially I didn't think we'd be coming here with her (Regina Dracones) but she just came out of the race (at Fairyhouse) so well I had to run her. If it didn't work out with one it might with the other.
“He's a lovely horse, a pleasure to do anything with and a class bit of stuff.
“It's great for me to get that for Derek (Kierans)as he's put more expensive horses into me than anybody. He spends the money and it's great to be able to get a result for men like that.
“We're not like the big lads so we need that.”
When asked if the winner could be a possible runner in the Irish National he added:-
“Possibly, that was mooted a long time ago and he has the credentials for something like that. We'll definitely look at something like that.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
