Michael Graham
Gamble landed on newcomer Charlemont
Charlemont draws clear
© Photo Healy Racing
Charlemont rewarded strong support with a taking debut in the Navan Maiden over five furlongs.
He was backed from 15/2 to 6/4 this morning before going off 2/1 favourite.
He raced prominently and led travelling well over a furlong out. From there the race was soon over as moved clear inside the final furlong.
Billy Lee 's mount strode away from his rivals to come in by five lengths. Gobi Star (4/1) finished second with War Effort (7/2) another half a length back in third.
Willie McCreery said: "He's a lovely horse, a gorgeous big horse and we just had to take our time. We just waited for that bit of ground. He was entered in Tipperary the last day but the ground came up soft.
"He's a Starspangledbanner and he acts on better ground, he just loved that. He quickened up the hill well in Navan. A lovely start.
"He's wearing a visor because we trained his mother (Ostatnia) and she always wore blinkers (or a visor). Until we put the blinkers on, she wasn't doing a tap. He's the same, he just looks everywhere and doesn't concentrate. He's not in any way coltish, he's a gawker."