Auto progresses nicely from jumps debut

Automated reversed Gowran form from Thyestes Day on January 21st with the favourite, Alamein when victorious in the Get Your 2016 Navan Membership Maiden Hurdle.

Second and third respectively at Gowran behind Au Quart De Tour, perhaps not altogether surprisingly it was Automated that found the most progression from the effort as it was his debut over flights.

Jack Kennedy got the David Spratt-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained Automated up the inside of Alamein between the final two.

Soon in front, the victorious Authorized gelding, an 11/4 second favourite on this occasion, kept on well despite edging to his right on the run-in to see off Stuccodor by six lengths.

There was two lengths back to the aforementioned 10/11 chance Alamein in third.

"He'll be better when he gets better ground, and I think he may win again on the Flat," said Elliott of his five-year-old, the winner of an extended ten furlong maiden at Dundalk when under the care of Ger Lyons in December.

(AM & EM)