Hogan's initiative pays off with Conversant

Denis Hogan's Conversant relished the testing conditions on offer in Navan as he kept on best to score in the five-furlong handicap.

The grey travelled behind the pace and took closer order at the halfway stage.

He closed on Mi Esperanza with a furlong and a half to go and was soon ridden by Joey Sheridan. Mi Esperanza boxed on well on the outside but in the closing stages she gave best to Conversant who came home nicely to land the spoils by half a length at 11/1.

Mi Esperanza (13/2) held on to second by a neck from Glow Work (7/1) who was right in the mix in the final furlong. The Peckhampouner completed the placings in fourth at 16/1.

Conversant had previously shown a fondness for soft and heavy ground and was coming off an absence since finishing unplaced at the Curragh in August.

Sheridan said: “He was a good servant for us two years ago and unfortunately only got to run once last year.

“Really he wants six (furlongs) but fair play to Denis it was good placing by him as he knew the ground was going to turn up soft. Five furlongs on that heavy ground was ideal for him.

“He stayed on well at the end and Denis’ horses are flying it. I can’t thank him enough for all the opportunities — he’s been very good to me.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee