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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Donc gets off the mark in Navan opener

Sun 18th Feb 2018, 14:21

Dis Donc and Sean Flanagan (nearest) hold off AnteyDis Donc and Sean Flanagan (nearest) hold off Antey
© Photo Healy Racing

Dis Donc battled gamely to record a deserved first victory over jumps in the opening maiden hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

Sean Flanagan produced the 4/1 to dispute the lead with Antey over the third last in the two-miler with The Holy One also close up.

Dis Donc gained a narrow lead over Antey jumping the last but his rival proved dogged on the run-in and Noel Meade's charge was all out at the line to secure a neck success.

The Gigginstown-owned winner had finished runner-up on his three previous outings over hurdles.

There was a stewards enquiry called after Dis Donc edged left on the run-in and gave Antey a slight bump. The result stood after the deliberations.

“He looked like he was going to win a minute and then he was lucky to win in the end. He might not like to be in front too long but I think he might like better ground as well. When he won in France it was on fast ground,” said Meade afterwards.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.