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Gary Carson
Gerry storms home in last
Glam Gerry (yellow) claims Cairdin with Go Native in third
© Photo Healy Racing
Glam Gerry proved strongest in the finish to land the concluding two-mile maiden at Navan.
It looked like a fairytale return for Go Native as he cruised into the lead from front-runner Cairdin with under two furlongs to run.
Lack of fitness caught out the former Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, however, as he cut out quickly inside the final furlong.
Cairdin reclaimed the lead briefly but was soon headed by Glam Gerry, who stormed home inside the final furlong under Billy Lee for a length success.
3/1 favourite Jezki had every chance two furlongs out but could only keep on the one pace in fifth.
The Colm Murphy-trained winner was making his reappearance having been pulled up in the Irish Grand National when last seen.
"I was trying to give him a piece of work on grass and it was nice to get paid over €5,000 for it. It was lovely jumping ground," said Murphy.
"Hopefully he'll be one of our staying chasers this year. I'm not sure if he wants three miles as he has some pace and options trip wise."
Noel Meade was pleased with the run of Go Native but felt he might just have won if ridden differently:-
"To be honest he ran better than I thought he would. I thought he'd get tired a bit further out.
"Having said that I think he would have won if he'd held on to him a bit longer. Emmet probably went a little bit too soon.
"I'm not sure if he'll stay hurdling or go chasing. He's not jumped a fence yet.
"If he stays hurdling a race like the Morgiana is an obvious one and down the line we would have Kempton in mind if all goes well."
(On course reporting by Alan Magee)