Pinot Gris (nearside) challenges at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Pinot Gris recorded a fourth career win, evenly divided between the Flat and hurdles, when taking the Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle in effortless fashion at Naas.
Keith Donoghue oozed confidence on the grey gelding who loomed up alongside the front-running Palamon after two out at which point the 5/4 favourite Zariygann dropped away tamely.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained 2/1 chance, fitted with blinkers here instead of previously worn cheekpieces, never came off the bridle as he cruised clear in the closing stages to beat Palamon by three lengths with the pair pulling 22 lengths clear of Wonleg in third.
Cromwell said, “That was grand, the blinkers worked a treat. He's a lazy, idle type of a horse and they just made him concentrate.
“If you look back to the Lartigue, he had a wander around up the straight and it's a pity we didn't have them on him then.
“We'll maybe look for a handicap somewhere and he's big enough to jump a fence in time.”
Quotes by Gary Carson
