Jockey Angle - 'When he gets down and gritty, he's very, very strong' Former jockey and race analyst Paddy Flood was full of praise for Ronan Whelan in the latest episode of the Jockey Angle and focused on a one-mile Navan handicap to make his case. Whelan partnered the Jarlath Fahey-trained Avec Grand Plaisir, sent off the 3/1 favourite from stall eight, holding on by a nose from Sheamus Seimhiu in a desperately tight finish. Race replays are FREE to watch from all Irish tracks and a selection of premier British tracks sponsored by William Hill. Paddy Flood’s Analysis Last week, some of you would have heard me give Ronan Whelan a bit of a jibe for riding a finish at the Curragh. I might have said he was bouncing around like a two-pound claimer and I still think he was, because this ride was showing me what Ronan Whelan is all about, how strong he is, and why I said what I said. The difference between Navan and the Curragh: There's no bouncing around, there's no putting the stick away. He's riding all the way through the line. Watch the full analysis I just wanted to highlight how strong he actually is in a finish. He was not beaten, and by the smallest of margins but when he gets down and gritty, he's very, very strong. The horse can win again Jarlath would be very, very happy with him, because Avec Grand Plaisir, in my opinion, will probably pick up another. He looked like he went very well on that ease in the ground.
