Jetz and Paul Townend win the Coral-sponsored Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Jetz made all to take the featured Coral Double Your Cheltenham Winnings First Race Every Day Flyingbolt Novice Chase in decisive fashion at Navan.
Owner/breeder Gerry McGrath has enjoyed great success with this family as the Flemensfirth gelding is out of a half-sister to many big race winners notably Champion Hurdler Jezki, and Jetz provided further black type in this Grade 3 event.
The market indicated this four-runner 2m1f event could be narrowed down to just two as Duca De Thaix was sent off the 9/10 favourite with Jetz an 11/8 chance.
However the odds-on favourite folded tamely at the penultimate fence as Jetz kept up the gallop in front.
Paul Townend ’s mount kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Benruben by eight and a half lengths, with Duca De Thaix all of 26 lengths further back in third.
Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said, “That was grand. I only declared him when I saw there were so few in it. I thought it looked rather a hot race when I looked at it at the entry stage and I thought it was much too competitive. Robbie wasn't going to be able to be here either. I said we'd come when I saw there were only three there.
“Paul said he's very leery in front, and looks at everything, but he did it well. He said once he jumped the first fence he jumped super, very safe and a great jump in him.
“I don't know where he'll go. He's in at Cheltenham but I don't think he'll go there. The twice he's won this year has been here over two-one. We'll go two or two-and-a-half, whatever comes up.”
(GC & AM)
