Goven survives last hurdle blunder to open Irish account

Mighty Blue and Goven dominated the market for division two of the Cavan Developments Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle at Naas, and it was the latter that came out on top but only after plenty of drama at the final flight.

The Willie Mullins-trained Goven, successful on both Flat starts in France, headed the front-running Thistle Ask away from the second last with 10/11 favourite Mighty Blue in close attendance.

Goven got the last all wrong under Mark Walsh but survived the mistake unlike Mighty Blue, who was about a length down when unseating JJ Slevin.

The 6/4 chance took full advantage of that incident going clear on the run-in to beat Thistle Ask, who certainly outran odds of 50/1 on his hurdle debut, by eight and a half lengths. Jakie Mac was a further 13 lengths away in third.

Walsh was completing a double having also taken the opener in the colours of JP McManus with Brazil

Mullins said, "I'm very happy and he's been making nice improvement all season. Being by Poliglote, out of a Lavirco mare, he probably just loves that ground. He handles it really well but he's a real good mover at home and will handle nicer ground as we go through the season.

“We'd be looking forward to, probably, Fairyhouse at Easter although Easter is late this year so we'll get another run into him in the meantime. We might try and find a rated novice hurdle.

“I didn't get any indication from Mark that we'd want to go out in trip and I'm happy that he's able to do it at that trip. Mark actually thought he would like a bit of nicer ground, his pedigree suggests he wants that so we'll see.

“He's a lovely looking horse and I liked him. Hopefully he'll pay his way at home between here and the end of the season.”

(GC & AM)