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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Cool Kennedy collects in Navan's opener

Sun 17th Feb 2019, 14:34

Milan Native (left) chases Raya Time over the lastMilan Native (left) chases Raya Time over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Jockey Jack Kennedy exuded confidence as he steered the Gordon Elliott trained Milan Native (9/2) to win the opening Ladbrokes Where the Nation Plays Maiden Hurdle at Navan today.

The Milan gelding went in pursuit of leader Raya Time (11/10f) after the third last flight and while the winner made a slight mistake at the final flight, he was nonetheless full of running once Kennedy asked him to pick up Raya Time on the run-in. Milan Native edged ahead, under a confident Kennedy, close home and scored a cosy length and a quarter success.

“He's a big raw horse,” said Elliott.

“He's a big chasing in the making. He improved a lot from his first run. I'd say he could definitely step up in trip. He's a nice horse.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.