Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
John O'Riordan
Gazelle D'or just lasts it out in Navan nursery
Gazelle D'Or and Jack Cleary
© Photo Healy Racing
The Michael Grassick trained Gazelle D'or just did enough when holding on late to win the Slane Nursery Handicap at Navan.
A maiden winner over the minimum trip at Bellewstown in August, the Equiano filly had twice been beaten over 6f subsequently.
Faced with the extended 5f here, the 3/1 chance just had enough in reserve to hold the strong late run of Zambales by a short head.
Travelling easily into the race, Gazelle d'Or led over a furlong out, quickly asserting to go a length clear. However, as her stamina began to wilt inside the last 100 yards, she faced a strong late challenge.
Just getting home, the Jack Cleary ridden filly was winning in the colours of Aidan Gleeson and Michael Grassick.
Jack Cleary said: "She has done very well. The whole thing today was about just switching her off and getting her to come home good.
"She travelled lovely the whole way and, just when she got there, she just idled a small bit underneath me.
"I wasn't 100 per cent sure (if she was up) - 50/50 kind of!"
Additional reporting by Michael Graham.