Neatly named Namiid comes good at Navan Cheerfully named Namiid (15/8f) gained a deserved first success today, landing Navan’s Cusack Hotel Group Family Day July 11th Maiden for owner Noel Hartley, jockey Ben Coen and in-form trainer Johnny Murtagh. An unplaced 80/1 chance on career debut last May, the son of Acclamation had been placed four times since and today made all the running to score by a half-length from Xerling . Loose horse Ennoble, who unseated rider leaving stalls, galloped with the leaders and while he ultimately didn’t affect the race, caused winner Namiid to jink badly right after the winning line. Afterwards Murtagh, honestly, admitted “I called him after a horse I rode called Namid, who won the Prix de l’Abbaye in 2000. This horse has plenty of speed but I'm not sure he'll win an Abbaye!" He added "he's been second a few times, but Ben says he seems genuine, he just seems to run into one each time. I thought five furlongs here would suit him, and this is my lucky track! “He had the rating to win today but fought and that's exactly what Ben said. It looked like the runner-up (Xerling) was coming and the loose horse helped him motivate him.” Quotes from Michael Graham
