Chosen Mate is clear at the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Chosen Mate was the feature race winner at Naas today as the Gordon Elliott trained gelding held off the late finish of freshly minted Triumph Hurdle candidate Hannon in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Onside App Novice Hurdle.
Six year old Chosen Mate, under Champion Jockey Davy Russell, went clear of his rivals from the second last with Hannon, whose rider David Noonan was unable to claim his 7lbs allowance in the Grade 2 contest, soon going into pursuit.
Chosen Mate was still clear jumping the final flight but Hannon finished very well and eventually got to within a nose of the winner at the line.
Relieved winning trainer Gordon Elliott later commented “I thought it was another second! He’s a grand honest horse but Davy (Russell) said he just does what he has to do when he gets there. The four-year-old (runner-up Hannon) was getting a lot of weight.
“Davy had to change tactics when Puppy (Robbie Power, on nearly faller Jetz) fell. He wanted to get up and take Paul (Townend on Prince D'Aubrelle which later pulled up) on and not give him a complete freebee.
“A fast run two miles would suit him better, and you could even step him out to two and a half. He jumped well.
“The plan is to keep him for Aintree.
Runner-up Hannon was later cut by bookmaker Paddy Power to 25/1, from 40/1s, for Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.
Quotes from Alan Magee
