Gilgamboa and Mark Walsh, lead Andrew Lynch and Rawnaq (winners) over the last© Photo Healy Racing
A laboured performance from odds-on favourite, Gilgamboa left the door open for one of his rivals, and 25/1 chance Rawnaq didn't need to be asked twice in the Grade 2 Flyingbolt Novice Chase, as his rider Andrew Lynch brought up a Navan double.
In truth Mark Walsh did wonders to get Gilgamboa to lead approaching the last, after his jumping hadn't really cut the mustard as things hotted up from the last in the back straight.
However, Rawnaq, who'd led at the third last, got back on terms at the final fence, before proving strongest on the run-in, by a length and three parts, with ten lengths and forty six lengths back to the Mouse Morris pair, Dromnea and Real Steel
"I was more hopeful than confident, and it's a bit of a surprise beating the favourite. A lot of hard work has gone into this horse since Cork. He had a few issues but we've sorted them out," revealed winning trainer Matthew Smith.
"He likes it around here and has won three times now. Andrew said it was right to run him over this trip on that ground but on better ground he'd stay three miles." Lynch had earlier partnered Mike McCann to victory in the opener for Michael O'Hare.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Real Steel, trained by M.F.Morris, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have displayed a slight bilateral nasal discharge post race.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Gilgamboa, trained by E. Bolger, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have sustained a cut to his off hind pastern.
M.P. Walsh, rider of Gilgamboa, trained by E. Bolger, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled.
B.J. Cooper, rider of Real Steel, trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount didn't jump well and made a respiratory noise in-running.
(AM & EM)
