Laverteen and Danny Benson© Photo Healy Racing
Gigginstown were fancied to complete a quick double in the bumper at Navan with Coeur De Beauchene but it was their other runner Laverteen that brought up the brace in decisive fashion.
The Noel Meade-trained gelding had shown some promise in two outings last year but was reappearing after a near 12 months absence.
However punters latched onto the six-year-old gelding near the off and he was well-backed from 10/1 into half those odds.
Danny Benson took the initiative about two furlongs out, and his mount quickly went clear.
He kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong to beat Stowaway Forever by four lengths, with evens favourite Coeur De Beauchene soundly beaten a further 11 lengths back in third.
Meade said, “He was good and maybe better than we thought but we did think he'd win a bumper. He had a few problems with his knees and things like that.
“I had to sit back here the last day because the other horse of Gordon's ran (Poli Roi). When it came to Friday he (Eddie O'Leary) said 'we have a few more' but I said 'it's my turn'.
“He said to me 'will you win' and I said 'I think he has a great chance but I can't say he'll definitely win'. So he decided to run the two of them.
“I'd say he's a nice horse. He won't run over hurdles this season as I'd imagine we'll keep him a novice. He just hasn't been that easy to train and I'd say he wants that really soft ground.”
(GC & AM)
