Unavoidable continued a good week for Donnacha O’Brien when making a winning debut at odds of 13/2 in the Irish EBF Spring Series Median Auction Maiden at Navan.

O’Brien was making it three winners from his last five runners including the Gladness Stakes with Yosemite Valley at the Curragh last Sunday as the Gleneagles gelding just proved strongest in the finish. Jack Spriggins was the subject of very strong support with early morning quotes of 13/2 quickly disappearing and the Johnny Murtagh-trained colt was further backed on track from 9/4 down to 6/5 favourite at the off.

The hot favourite hit the front over two furlongs out but ran out of steam after being headed at the furlong pole.

The front-running Rock Of Ireland rallied very gamely inside the final furlong but Unavoidable just held onto a slight advantage for a head verdict under Gavin Ryan.

The pair pulled six lengths clear of Cruden in third.

O'Brien said, "He did it very well to be fair to him. He's a lovely big horse and just took plenty of time to come to himself.

"He has a big frame so I thought he would be a bit green today, and he probably was, but he toughed it out. Nice to win first time.

"He doesn't have a whole pile of experience, so I'd say he just got a little bit lonely when he got there. The other horse (Rock Of Ireland) seemed to fight back as well.

"He'll be a lovely horse going forward, hopefully.

"Yes, no problem (stay 1m4f). I think ground is probably important enough to him. He's a real nice mover, so I'd say quick ground is probably important to him.

"We will look for some kind of winners' race now and see where he stands."

Quotes by Michael Graham