Chesterfieldavenue winning in Naas© Photo Healy Racing
Chesterfieldavenue (12/1) put in some excellent work on debut to land the two mile maiden hurdle in Naas from hot-favourite Marakoush
Marakoush went off even money on the back of a career on the flat that yielded a win and four places from five appearances for John Oxx. He was making his jumping debut for Alan Fleming.
The favourite lobbed away in front with only Chesterfield Avenue still on the bridle, in second, as the field turned for home.
Jody McGarvey asked for more from Chesterfieldavenue after the second last and the pair loomed large on the shoulder of Adrian Heskin and Marakoush at the final flight.
On the run-in, it was Chesterfieldavenue who finished his race off best as he stayed on well to score by half a length from Marakoush who kept at him on the inside. Coney Island took third at 8/1, two and a half lengths further back.
"I put Barry (Geraghty) down for him but he said he wasn't riding. I told him 'watch him go by you'. I can't wait to go back in to him!" trainer Christy Roche said.
"He's a big horse and we were hoping whatever he did today he would improve. His pedigree suggests he will."
The JP McManus colours were sported by the winner and third-placed Coney Island who was ridden by Barry Geraghty.
The winner is a half-brother to Bobs Worth.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
