Helix makes winning debut in bumper Double Helix stuck his head out to assert late on and win the concluding bumper at Navan, under Patrick Mullins, for trainer Charles Weld. The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding was produced to dispute at the furlong pole with long-time leader El Paraiso, as Sharbel also challenged between the pair. Double Helix gained a narrow advantage over Sharbel in the closing stages and the 12/1 shot was going away at the line to score by a neck. There was a stewards enquiry with the winner edging a bit left but the result stood. The trainer was leading up and Mullins said: "He was green everywhere and it took him the length of the straight to really hit top gear, but that is what Charles had told me - to get clear air on him and let him use his stride. "He was always going to win but, once he hit the front, he ran quite green. I think there is improvement in him. "I have to thank Finny Maguire - he put me in for the ride, he has gone over to Newmarket to ride in the amateurs' Cambridgeshire. He had done all the work with him. “Finny filled me full of confidence as did Charles. They just thought he might be too green to win today. "He was green in the finish, but I'd say he'll love the good ground. "Charles was saying he won on a Rock Of Gibraltar in a bumper in these colours in Galway one year. "Great to get it and brilliant for Charles who deserves a lot of credit." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
