Yamato completes across the card double for McConnell

Yamato opened his account over hurdles with a convincing win in the first division of the two-mile-five handicap hurdle at Navan.

Jordan Gainford, completing a quick double on the card, produced his mount to challenge at the second last and he soon hit the front.

The John McConnell-trained gelding opened up from the last hurdle, stretching away for a five-and-a-half length win over Rambling Rose

Yamato, the 11/2 co-favourite, had been second on his last outing at Galway.

“I'm thrilled with that because he's a consistent little horse,” said McConnell, who was also on the mark at Gowran Park with Fennor Cross

“He was a cheap claim and he's now won on the Flat and over hurdles for the lads.

“On the slow side of good or yielding ground is fine for him. He's a very tough horse, he's had a lot of runs between myself and Michael Halford. He's been on the go a long time.

“I knew he fresh and well today and he's a tough little nut to crack when he's on form.

“There is probably another race in him on the Flat, over a mile-six or two miles. It's an awful pity we can't go to Wolverhampton for one of those but we're not allowed.

“We'll have to see what is in Dundalk but that's job done for now.”