Ivatt wins Gowran opener by a street The Willis Towers Watson Maiden Hurdle was the opener at Gowran Park and Ivatt (3/1) won by half the track under Jack Kennedy. The 1/1 favourite Bunker Buster went at the first, by which point the winner was already at the head of affairs, and he made all to win by a facile 24 lengths from Charles Kickham. The Ghaiyyath gelding was sporting a hood for the first time on this third start over jumps. “He’s a nice horse. It’s our first horse for Jim and Fitri Hay and they are nice colours to have in the yard,” said winning trainer Gordon Elliott. “We’ll probably go back on the Flat with him, as well, at some stage. “I’d say he improved a lot from the last day. He was a bit gassy and keen at home and there was plenty of improvement in him. “It was a good performance today and I liked the way he quickened down the straight. “It mightn’t have been the best race in the world, but Jessie’s horse (Harrington, third-placed Michonne) is still rated 123. We’re happy. “He won’t be a winter horse, more of a spring horse. We might have a look at something else and then put him away.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
