Snellen’s brother wins Navan’s delayed opener Navan races was delayed by 53 minutes today as the course awaited the arrival of medical personnel, with victory in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden going to blue-blooded Barrow Boy (5/4f), for Royal Ascot-winners. Today’s opener had a scheduled start-time of 1.12pm, and with issues surrounding medical staff being sorted by 2.05pm, winner Barrow Boy himself then made his supporters wait. The son of Bayside Boy appeared outpaced mid-race but eventually found top gear, to score comfortably from The Scallionator . Barrow Boy is a half-brother to his trainer Gavin Cromwell’s first Royal Ascot-winner Snellen, who landed the 2023 Chesham Stakes for today’s owner Lindsay Laroche. Winning jockey Gary Carroll, who steered Snellen to Royal success, commented "Barrow Boy was very good, stepped up from his first run and travelled really well. “It took me a while to hit top gear but when I met the rising ground, I was strong out through the line. I'd say he would probably get seven furlongs in time and probably wants another furlong (beyond today’s 5f, 180yds). "He's a nice horse and he's improving, and I think he will step up again." "I'd say he could be a Royal Ascot-type and the Windsor Castle looks the obvious race for him." Quotes from Michael Graham
