Benkei and Pat Smullen winning the 1m5f handicap© Photo Healy Racing
Harry Rogers made a welcome return to the racecourse after fracturing his pelvis in an accident at home 16 weeks ago, and punters who took the hint were well rewarded as Benkei justified strong support in the 1m5f handicap at Navan.
The 3/1 favourite was prominent throughout under Pat Smullen, leading early in the straight and put the race to bed well over a furlong out.
The Galileo gelding, trained last year by Takashi Kodama and providing Rogers with his first winner in over seven months, kept on well for a comfortable length and three quarters verdict over Esharaat with Hurricane Sky staying on late in third.
Get Out Of Jail (change in going) and Clifton Miss (stone bruise) were both absentees, while the field was further reduced after Donatis Comet (20/1) failed to enter the stalls.
Rogers said, "I thought he would like an ease. He looked a winner from a long way out but I'd say it wasn't a great race. He seems to stay well but is probably more of a hurdle horse.
"He's a fine big horse, and hopefully he can only improve."
