Ginto lands the odds in Navan

Ginto readily opened his account over flights in the opening Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles at Navan.

He went off 30/100 favourite after point-to-point and bumper successes, the latter coming at this venue.

Three horses departed at the first flight including Ginto's main market rival Midnight It Is who unseated Luke Dempsey.

Ginto, who jumped right in the straight, soon led under Jack Kennedy and was pressed by Benny The Duke on the run to the second last.

The 'jolly' asserted coming to the final flight and skipped home by five and a half lengths from Benny The Duke (12/1). Noah's Light was another length and a quarter back in third at 33/1.

Gordon Elliott said: “Jack said it was like a piece of work for him, he wasn't doing a stroke going around there on his own. It's job done.

“He's gotten very strong, he's a big bull, and he needs to get out, get a bit of work, and get going.

“He's probably going to be more of a staying horse. It's grand to start the day off well.”

Ginto holds an entry in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in Fairyhouse at the end of the month.

Paddy Power halved Ginto from 50/1 to 25/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson