Donkey Years (far side) clears the last © Photo Healy Racing
J.P. McManus completed a four-timer at Navan today with his last being well-backed Donkey Years the hard-held winner of the Proudstown Handicap Chase, and whom edged the award for the owner's easiest winner of the day.
McManus' Coqolino blundered in winning today's opener and while Gars De Sceaux and Webster Cup winner Any Second Now won easily, Donkey Years topped the lot as he show-jumped the final fence and won pulling-double for jockey Conor McNamara.
Beaten 87L on his previous run on January 31, Donkey Years' win (morning 12/1, to 5/1f) from a 2lbs lower rating today was a fifth in total for McManus, whose Grand Morning was a 20/1 winner at Ayr for trainer Lucinda Russell.
Following Donkey Years' win, successful trainer Eric McNamara, father of the winning rider, reported “he won a maiden hurdle first time out and we thought he was a lovely horse but he took a long time to get his act together jumping wise.
“He made a lot of mistakes the last few days but he jumped great today and I'd say that was the difference. He seemed to be a lot more confident today and jumped really well.
“I'd say it was a very poor contest but he couldn't do any more than win it and he won well. I'm delighted.
“We'll look for something similar. I thought he wanted a bit of better ground but he seemed to handle it.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
