Whelan bags family winner on Plaisir The second division of the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle Handicap at Navan produced another cracking finish this afternoon with Avec Grand Plaisir just holding on at the line. Ronan Whelan produced his mount with a strong charge inside the final furlong to lead in the last 50 yards. He was tackled late on by another hold-up horse, Sheamus Seimhiu, who rattled home and just failed by a nose at the line. It was a first success for Avec Grand Plaisir on his seventh career outing. Trainer Jarlath Fahey said: "He had a nice run in the Curragh, and the soft ground and the mile and two (furlongs) in Sligo probably tested his stamina a bit. "Back over the mile in the Curragh, he finished well, and we just thought the stiffer mile here would suit him even better. He needed every bit of that there to get it. "Probably a mile-and-one or an easy mile-and-two on quickish ground is probably his trip. "He's a weak, immature horse and a horse we are not going to see the best of until next year. "He's a lovely horse, but he's not the horse yet that he is going to be. He does need a bit more time. He is going to furnish and strengthen up, and he will get stronger in himself and everything. "Every winner is important nowadays for us and for Ronan. His mother and father own it, so it is always good to keep it in the family." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
