Santonito (red and white) won narrowly from Don Chalant (rail)© Photo Healy Racing
There were plenty in with a chance entering the final quarter mile in the bumper at Navan and 6/4 joint-favourite Santonito took a narrow lead passing the furlong marker.
Fellow joint-favourite Don Chalant was making the best of his way home on the rail under Patrick Mullins and was a little short of room close home as Santonito edged left under pressure. Jamie Codd’s mount just held on to prevail by a short head and the head-on replay revealed that there was little chance of any change to the result following a stewards’ enquiry. Outsider Goldwyn was only a length further back in third.
The victorious Coastal Path gelding was going one place better after finishing runner-up in his first three starts in bumpers and completed a treble for Gordon Elliott after he won the first two races on the card with Bodhisattva and Dartington
Codd remarked: “I'd say that's probably him done for the year, I'll see what Gordon says, as he's a horse that wants soft ground and a trip over hurdles.
“At least he's won his bumper now this year and we can maybe look forward to next year with him but we'll speak to Gordon and see.
“A few of Willie's were after beating him so to get his head in front and beat one of Willie's is quite nice.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
