Callaghan makes hay with Pike

The opening Follow Navan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle at Navan today went to the Gillian Callaghan trained O’Connells Pike, causing a 14/1 upset under Keith Donoghue.

The winner, a son of Flemensfirth, got the better of Lough Roe Lady from the final flight eventually running out the four lengths winner, with 1/1f Tennis Cap disappointing again in third.

Afterwards Callaghan said “O’Connells Pike did it nicely and the two miles suited better today, as did the ground drying out a bit.

“The drier the ground is, the better it is for him and he keeps improving with every run. Hurdling will be his forte as he wasn’t jumping well enough when he was chasing.”