Elm Grove and Leigh Roche win © Photo Healy Racing
Elm Grove came with a strong run up the rail to claim the first division of the Simonstown Handicap at Navan.
Leigh Roche's mount ran into some traffic problems two furlongs out in the ten furlong contest and soon switched to the inside.
The Willie McCreery-trained filly hit the front over a furlong from home and stuck on well in the closing stages to hold Byron Beauty by three-parts-of-a-length.
2/1 favourite Udogo hit the front two-and-a-half furlongs from home but gave way to Elm Grove and eventually finished third.
The 14/1 winner was dropping back in trip having weakened at the business end over an extended mile-and-a-half at Down Royal last time.
"Job done! I was very disappointed with her in a mile and five race at Down Royal but Leigh was very strong on her there," said McCreery.
"She jumps a hurdle great and it was always the plan to go hurdling and try and win one on the flat."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
