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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Second win for Webb on 'Fortria' day

Sun 8th Nov 2020, 12:57

Joshua Webb (far side) with runner-up Grangeclare NativeJoshua Webb (far side) with runner-up Grangeclare Native
© Photo Healy Racing

Second-season novice Joshua Webb gained a first jumps win at Navan today as the Noel Meade trained gelding narrowly won the Ladbrokes Giving Extra Places Maiden Hurdle under jockey Sean Flanagan and following a stewards' enquiry.

The son of Flemensfirth was a bumper winner at today's corresponding fixture in 2019, when the Fortria Chase was the highlight and the Troytown Chase run traditionally later in November, but subsequently failed to win in five maiden hurdles attempts.

Today Joshua Webb out-battled Grangeclare Native in scoring a head win but did bump runner-up Grangeclare Native with 40 yards to race. Following an enquiry, the stewards left the result stand.

Meade later stated “he was a bit unlucky last year after he won his bumper. He unseated Denis (O'Regan) here one day and had a few little hiccups here and there.

“I'd say he's a nice horse. He'll go on for a novice now and we'll see what way the handicapper rates him.

“He'll come on a bit from the run as he only had one piece of work.

“He made a mistake at the second last which didn't help but he was great at the last which was the one we needed.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.