Autoportrait finally gets his turn over hurdles Autoportrait, placed on all four previous outings since joining Mouse Morris, gained a deserved win in the Navan Racecourse Maiden Hurdle. The Robcour-owned Authorized gelding has been tried over a variety of trips and set the pace under Darragh O’Keeffe in this 2m4f event. The 13/8 favourite was strongly pressed in the straight with Smooth Scotch moving alongside at the last, but O’Keeffe’s mount found plenty on the run-in to beat that rival by a length and three-quarters. Butcher Hollow kept on one paced a further half-a-length away in third. Morris said, “He had been running well, knocking on the door. He’ll make up into a nice staying chaser. “It’s tougher than they think out there. “He’ll probably have one more run this year - he’s still growing.” Quotes by Gary Carson
