American Mike making rapid strides after April sale with Listed bumper win

American Mike continued the perfect start he has made both on and off the track with a swaggering performance to land the Listed Future Champions INH Flat Race at Navan.

Gordon Elliott and Bective Stud's gelding is now no better than 3-1 as the ante-post market leader for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and there was not a lot of value to be had in Saturday's closing event as he was made the 1-8 favourite.

The Mahler four-year-old gave notice of his ability in the spring when a commanding winner of his only point-to-point start at Cork for Sean Doyle.

View result and watch replay here

Bred out of Graded chasing mare American Jennie, he topped the Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale when bought for £195,000, a substantial result for Doyle, who had picked him up from White Horse Stud for a mere €20,000 at last year's Derby Sale.

American Mike made an impressive debut for Elliott when coming seven lengths clear at Down Royal in late October and conjured up a wider margin here by passing the line 17 lengths in front.

Recent history is certainly in his favour as two of the last three winners of the Cheltenham prize, Sir Gerhard and Envoi Allen, are on the roll of honour, as well as Elliott's older flagbearers Samcro and Don Cossack.

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