Article Date: 08-November-2011
Big Zeb is all set to reappear in the Grade 2 Friends Of Navan Fortria Chase at Navan on Sunday, a race he has won for the past two years.
Trainer Colm Murphy said: "Big Zeb is in super form. This race has been the plan for a while. We brought him away to Navan and to Leopardstown in the last few weeks and he went well on both occasions. He will come on a fair bit for the run and I just hope the ground won’t be too soft."
Regarding riding arrangements, Murphy added: "I am not sure where Barry (Geraghty) will be on Sunday, he might be in Cheltenham for Nicky Henderson, so we’ll just have to wait and see."
Also among the entries are Forpadydeplasterer, Noble Prince, Pyscho, Predateur and Trafford Lad.
The €37,500 Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle is also shaping up to be quite a race and has attracted the Murphy-trained Voler La Vedette, who has returned to training after failing to go in foal.
"She is in good form and she will be fairly forward for her first run of the year," said the trainer. "Last season, she really began to settle and if she can do the same again this season, we’d be delighted. She came back to me in great shape and she looks a picture and she won’t mind soft ground. She is in the Morgiana Hurdle and the Hattons Grace, but we’ll get Sunday out of the way first before we decide on future plans for her."
Champion trainer Willie Mullins holds a very strong hand here with Mourad and Mikael D’Haguenet. Also engaged are Rigour Back Bob, Rick, Karabak, Fully Funded, Askanna, Aibrean, Berties Dream, The Hurl and Pineau de Re.
A third graded race on the day is the €27,500 Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle. Noel Meade has entered his recent winners Dylan Ross and Il Fenomeno. Other entries include Casa Joe, Flycorn, Make A Track and Owega Star along with Priors Golf, Shadow Eile and Burn And Turn.
Navan manager Darren Lawlor said: "The course at Navan is in great condition as the countdown to our new National Hunt season begins. The ground is currently yielding."
The views expressed in the comments above are not those of The Irish Field. Please contact us to report abuse.
Other related articles:
