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Elliott has to wait for Navan winner with Turf

Diamond Turf Diamond Turf
© Photo Healy Racing

The Gordon Elliott-trained Diamond Turf powered clear inside the final furlong to run out an impressive winner of the concluding bumper at Navan today.

Lisa O'Neill 's mount travelled stylishly to challenge three furlongs from home in the two-miler and pulled his way into the lead passing the two pole.

The Gigginstown gelding was sent on heading to the furlong marker and galloped on strongly in the closing stages to record a nine length win. Castlebawn West was sent off the 4/5 favourite on his debut for Willie Mullins but weakened late on to finish in rear.

The winner had been third on his 'track' debut at Limerick over Christmas.

“He’s a nice big horse but he’s a horse for the future. We’ll mind him this year and keep him for next year,” said Elliott.

“We knew he’d come on a good bit from the last day so we were happy enough. He stays very well.

“We normally don’t have to wait until the last race at Navan to have a winner but we knew it would be tough enough today.

“He might go for a winners’ bumper but he won’t do too much more.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.