Irish Envoy beats Rocoovango & Ideal De Ciergues© Photo Healy Racing
Irish Envoy justified favourtism on his debut at Naas when claiming the concluding bumper on the card.
The Liz Doyle-trained gelding went to post a well supported 3/1 shot on his first outing and was delivered to challenge early in the straight by Jody Townend.
There were three in a line passing the furlong marker though as Ideal De Ciergues and Rocoovango both came to dispute.
Townend drove Irish Envoy into a narrow lead in the closing stages and he stayed on best to record a three-parts-of-a-length win over Roccovango
Ideal De Ciergues was a further length-and-three-quarter back in third.
There was a nasty incident passing the three furlong marker as Forest Pump slipped up and brought down Barnwick Thankfully horses and riders, Joey Dunne and Mark McDonagh, were unscatched.
The winner, a son of Well Chosen, cost €42,000 at the Land Rover sale and is a grandson of Listed chase winner Colleen Glen from the family of The Illiad.
Doyle, saddling her third debut bumper winner this year, said:- “He’s in the Landrover Bumper so he’ll go there. He’s green and babyish, only barely ready to run.
“I thought the advantages of running out-weighted the disadvantages of not running before Punchestown. He’ll improve loads from that.
“He’s a lovely, lovely horse. I think that’s his ground and I don’t think he wants it too heavy.
“He’s been lovely from day one and I like him a lot.
“That kid (Townend) is superb. She does nothing wrong and keeps out of trouble.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
