Tough Bushmans Pass doing McKiernan proud

The Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final in Navan boiled down to a battle between Bushmans Pass and Ask Anything and it was the former who shaded it.

Gavin Cromwell 's Ask Anything was backed down to 3/1 favourite and held a narrow initiative over the last, however, Bushmans Pass was nothing if not game and fought back to get up close home by a neck for Phillip Enright.

The winner was returned at 7/1 and the front pair were some 13 lengths clear of third-placed The Gradual Slope (20/1).

“It was a good battle. I love a good battle when I win it, but I wouldn't like to be second in a battle like that!” said Oliver McKiernan.

“We were a bit concerned about the ground as it's heavy and sticky. I thought he wouldn't handle that as well but he handled it well and he stays well.

“A furlong down I said 'this is going to be some battle'. The other horse was a half length in front at that stage but I knew this lad would stay. He's bred to stay.

“I'd like to put him over a bit further next time. He has to have soft ground as he hasn't great wheels under him.

“If the ground was soft at Punchestown there is a 3m6f race and he'd definitely go there.

“We're delighted with that. He's coming along, the handicapper wasn't easy on him early on.”

When asked if he could maybe be an Irish National horse next year he added: “He could be but would he get into an Irish National, I think it's 140 at the minute to get into it.

“It's another year away, if he did stay sound, and he could be that type of horse. He'd stay the trip anyway.”

Bushmans Pass has now won three of his last four handicap chases and was placed in the other one.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson