Harvard Guy and Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Harvard Guy completed a hat-trick of course and distance wins when taking the featured €45,000 Navan Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f.
Trained by the father and son team of Eddie and Patrick Harty for owner JP McManus, the progressive son of Telescope was available at 3/1 overnight but well-supported to go off the 7/4 favourite.
Confirmed front-runner Kilbree Warrior ensured this turned into a real stamina test and he still held a five lengths advantage between the final two flights.
However, Harvard Guy gradually cut into the deficit under Mark Walsh striking the front in the final 100 yards to score by three quarters of a length. Fortunedefortunata was a further four and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Eddie Harty said, "It was hard fought. In fairness to the second horse I thought he had gone mad on the ground but nearly got there.
“We couldn't have ridden him any differently with the weights but he did get there and it was a good performance.
“I'd say myself that would rule him out of Leopardstown, I don't think you could turn out after that run on that ground.
“He's had a cracking season and if they said to me 'that'll do him for the year' you couldn't be disappointed with the season.
“We'll have a rethink now about what is next. It was either here or Leopardstown unless it had been lovely ground here and he'd won on the bridle. I don't think he'll recover enough to go three miles.
“He's a lovely horse and he has a future over fences, he jumps very well. He's improved physically and has improved mentally from race to race. He's becoming a racehorse now.
“You could make a case for going for a graded novice hurdle somewhere. He likes it here.”
Quotes by Gary Carson
