Nickajack Cave
Nickajack Cave put up a game performance to win the 10f premier handicap. Settled in second place early on by Colin Keane behind pace-setter Operatic Export, he moved up to join the leader at the 2f marker, but he was immediately challenged by Pearlman and Pensylvania Avenue towards his outside. It appeared as if Pensylvania Avenue was travelling better as they ran to the 1f marker, but Nickajack Cave found lots for pressure. The pair of them pulled nicely clear of their rivals, and it was Ger Lyons' horse who battled on best, just getting up to beat the favourite by a neck, the pair of them clear.
This was a good performance from the Kendargent gelding on just his third run. He caused a 25/1 surprise when he won his maiden at Cork on his racecourse debut in early April, and he stepped forward from that on his next run, when he finished second to the progressive Georgeville in a median auction race over 10f at Roscommon, when he didn't have a lot of luck in-running. He was racing off a mark of 84 here on his handicap debut, and he has been raised by 5lb to a mark of 89, but he still has the potential to go beyond that mark. He stays this 10f trip well, but there is stamina in his pedigree and, on this evidence, he could improve further for stepping up in trip.
Navan, 1st June 2019
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