Honesty overcomes traffic to win opener Honesty Policy had to dig deep to land the odds in the opening Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding went to post a 4/9 shot in the two-miler to follow up on his maiden hurdle success at Navan three weeks ago. Sam Ewing’s mount was caught in a pocket turning for home and had to angle out to get a clear run going to the final flight. Once in the clear on the run-in the Jukebox Jury gelding knuckled down well and grabbed Champagne Jury in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-quarter success. Stable representative Lisa O’Neill said:- “We were all sweating coming down the home straight because he was stuck in a bit of a pocket for a while, but he got himself out of trouble and has actually won snug enough at the winning post. “The softer the ground the better for him, you can see his knee action. “It’s lovely to get that win on the board and I’m sure Gordon will be aiming for the Final at the Punchestown Festival.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
