Coyote Spirit leads home Elliott’s six to win Navan’s opener Eight-year-old Coyote Spirit (5/6f) led home six horses from trainer Gordon Elliott’s yard to win Navan’s 11-runner opening Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle today, scoring under jockey Jack Kennedy. Elliott’s Whinney Hill led for much of the race but tired quickly entering the home straight and, having led from the second-last, Coyote Spirit went on to score by 24 lengths from newcomer and stablemate Loch Cuan in testing ground conditions. Regarding last April’s Bellewstown bumper winner, Elliott said "they went a good gallop, the ground is very soft and Coyote Spirit got through it, but Jack said it was hard work. He mightn't want it that soft, although the strong gallop might have suited. He had a good run in Leopardstown a couple of runs ago." Quotes from Michael Graham
