Ahead Of The Field (nearside) on the way to victory under Jordan Gainford© Photo Healy Racing
Backed into 5/1 from 11/1 'on the show,' and from bigger earlier, Ahead Of The Field kept up the great momentum for red-hot conditional Jordan Gainford in the Simonstown Maiden Hurdle at Navan.
Favourite Risk Factor was about to launch his bid when falling three out, and this opened things up in the two and a half miler.
A brother to 2018 Champion Bumper heroine, Relegate, Ahead Of The Field eventually got the better of Now Where Or When by a length. Sir Jack West was eye-catching in third, a length and three parts back.
Sean Doyle has care of Ahead Of The Field for David O’Connell, and he’d previously shown promise with point-to-point and maiden hurdle second placings.
“We didn’t go too fast early and I was happy enough to sit closer than I wanted to be. I probably went very early on him but he’s a big galloper,” said Gainford.
“He’s just filling into himself. He’s a lovely big horse and I’d say he has a nice future.
“He just idled a bit after the last but I’d say he has plenty of ability.”
H. Morgan, rider of Play The Knave trained by V. T. O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran green.
Mrs Denise Foster, trainer of Glens Finale reported to the Clerk of Scales that her charge burst.
(AM & EM)
