Inexperienced Love Me scores on handicap debut

Love Me (14/1) won on handicap debut in Navan’s 23-runner Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells "Day At The Races" Handicap Hurdle today, as the Henry De Bromhead-trained inexperienced four-year-old filly scored under jockey Darragh O’Keeffe.

French-bred and by Ectot, Love Me was the least experienced in today’s field having competed in just three previous maiden hurdles and, rated 97, raced behind the leaders before eventually improving to challenge at the second-last,

Last year’s winner St Denis’s Well appeared to be travelling best the final flight but the winner powered home to lead close home, scoring by 1.75 lengths.

De Bromhead said “she ran a nice race in Wexford and we hoped she had come on for it. She was good and Darragh gave her a great ride. I think the pace suited her and Darragh said she jumped brilliant.

"I thought she might have lacked a bit of experience, but maybe the gallop they went sort of suited her in the end.

“She could step up in trip with the way she hit the line and it is great to get it for the Fitzgeralds (owners).”

Quotes from Michael Graham