Close finish at Navan as Avec Grand Plaisir breaks maiden
A tense finish in the second division of the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle Handicap at Navan saw Avec Grand Plaisir collar the lead in the closing strides to record a first career victory. Ronan Whelan produced a well-timed late run to lead inside the final 50 yards, holding on by a nose from the late-charging Sheamus Seimhiu.
Seventh start yields first success
The win marked Chez Grand Plaisir’s first success from seven starts. The gelding had shown promise on a number of occasions and finally got on the scoresheet over a mile at Navan, edging out a rival who had been held up for a late surge.
Trainer Jarlath Fahey indicated that recent runs and conditions had informed the decision to contest the Navan mile. He said the gelding had a solid run at the Curragh and that softer ground and a longer trip at Sligo likely tested his stamina. Returning to a stiffer mile at Navan suited the horse better, Fahey added, and he expects the juvenile to strengthen and improve with time.
Patience likely to pay dividends
Fahey described the winner as an immature, lightly-built horse who is expected to develop physically over the coming months and into next season. Connections believe a mile to a mile-and-a-quarter on quicker ground will ultimately be the most suitable trip as he matures.
Every victory carries added significance for the stable: Avec Grand Plaisir is owned by Ronan Whelan’s parents, making the breakthrough a family celebration on a day of close finishes at Navan.
Context for the Irish flat season
- Navan frequently stages competitive handicaps that serve as form pointers for horses aimed at the Curragh and other major Irish meetings.
- Juveniles and lightly-raced horses often improve markedly between the early and latter parts of the season, particularly as they strengthen into their three-year-old campaigns.
- Connections will now have the opportunity to map a progression for Avec Grand Plaisir, balancing race distance and ground conditions as he develops.
The narrow margin underlines how fine the differences can be in competitive handicaps, and Avec Grand Plaisir’s win will be noted by trainers and owners looking for progressive youngsters capable of stepping up at key Irish fixtures.
With summer festival racing on the calendar and major meetings at the Curragh and other courses approaching, performances like this are useful reminders of horses to monitor as they mature and potentially move up the ranks during the remainder of the season.
