Gentleman de Mee and Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Odds of 1/5 suggested Gentleman de Mee would be very difficult to beat in the featured Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan and so it proved as the JP McManus-owned gelding routed four rivals in this Grade 3 event.
The French-bred gelding built up a clear lead soon after the start under Mark Walsh and never gave those brave enough to trade at such cramped odds any real moment of worry. Streets Of Doyen and Grange Walk narrowed the gap at the second last but Walsh was still sitting virtually motionless and his mount galloped on strongly on the run-in.
The Willie Mullins-trained hot-pot had 16 lengths to spare at the line, with Grange Walk getting the better of the tussle for the runner-up spot.
Mullins said, "He did that grand. He's settling better, jumping better and settling into his game.
“It might be hard to find another opportunity for him. He could perhaps go up to Grade 1 level over two-and-a-half miles at Fairyhouse.
“If I can't find a suitable two mile race we might take a chance and step him up in trip there. Otherwise there is the Grade 1 over two miles at Punchestown.
“He likes to get on with the job but Mark just thought he settled a fair bit better today, after the first two fences he said he was grand. He jumps them brave.”
(GC & AM)
