The Doran's Pride colours of Tom Doran were carried to success at Navan today as Woodford Island justified 1/5 favouritism to win the www.navanracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy.

Opposition to the son of Trans Island appeared weak but in the end Kennedy needed to work to keep the winner going for a three lengths win over Be The Hero

“I'd say it was a messy race. He was very keen the whole way,” said Elliott.

“We said we'd ride him handy to stay out of trouble but it was probably the worst way we could have rode him.

“Thankfully he held on but he got very tired. He's probably a horse that runs well in handicaps with more cover.

“It's great to get a winner for Tom Doran. That's his first winner for us and he has three or four horses so it's very important.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson