Brand Ambassador leads as Andrew McNamara departs from Myles Ahead© Photo Healy Racing
An absence of 732 days didn’t show on Brand Ambassador who powered up the hill in Navan to convincingly land the two and a half mile maiden hurdle.
He raced just behind the pace coming to the third last in the home straight. As those in the front rank landed after jumping that flight, Mine Now clipped heels on the run to two out and slipped up depositing Richie Deegan.
Brand Ambassador travelled well and came through to lead after the penultimate hurdle. Barry Geraghty sent him about his business and he was driven clear on the run-in to score by six and a half lengths at 12/1. He had been friendless having opened at 6/1 this morning.
Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “We thought he'd come on a bit from the run as he's been off two years, but we had as much done with him as we could.
“He's owned by a good bunch of lads (JW Byrne, P Grimes, PJ Gleeson & JE Keeling), but unfortunately they are playing golf today and couldn't make it. He's a horse they'll have plenty fun with and hopefully his legs are okay in the morning. He might go chasing sooner rather than later.” Burning Issues at 33/1 grabbed second from Vision Du Coeur (6/1). There was plenty of money before racing for On Impulse (9/4 to an SP of 7/4), however, his effort on the outside petered out after the second last and he had to settle for fourth, beaten over 11 lengths by the winner.
Andrew McNamara was another jockey to hit the turf when Myles Ahead clipped heels and came down after the second last.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
