3 minute read

Outsider of four Rawnaq delivered a 25-1 upset in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan when he got the better of 4-9 hotpot Gilgamboa.

Real Steel was Gigginstown House Stud's sole representative following the late withdrawal of Bishops Road, and he made the running until Andrew Lynch sent Rawnaq into the lead at the fourth-last fence in the Grade Two contest.

It looked like Mark Walsh had the move covered on Gilgamboa, who was switched to the far side to make his bid and held a narrow lead at the final obstacle, but Rawnaq - having his first run for 119 days - found more and got on top in the last 100 yards to score by a length and three-quarters.

Trainer Matthew Smith said: "He has been off a while. He had a few little issues after his last run in Cork. We got them sorted out and we were hopeful more than confident, but we did think he had a better chance than a 25-1 shot.

"That's three runs here and three wins. He loves coming up the hill.

"We had no plan. We said we'd see how we got on today and take it from there. Andrew said it was right to run him over this trip on that ground, but on better ground he'd stay three miles."

Lynch added: "He won well here in his beginners chase. I was disappointed with him in Cork.

"He jumped and travelled well and battled on well. I thought we went a nice gallop and I was always happy with my lad. He jumped well."