Kevin Blake
2.35 NAVAN WELCOMES OWNERS TODAY MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F
Harry Kelly has emerged as one of the more promising young National Hunt trainers in the country in recent years and he looks to have a useful hurdling prospect on his hands in the shape on One Impulse. The son of Flemensfirth is from the family of Sizing Europe and he created a fine impression when winning a bumper at Thurles on heavy ground in February. Reportedly an “unreal” jumper of a hurdle, it wouldn’t surprise to see him make a winning debut over obstacles in this.
Another bumper winner that catches the eye on his hurdling debut is the Anthony Mulholland-trained Myles Ahead, with the five-year-old having won at Wexford in July.
Selection: ON IMPULSE
Next best: Myles Ahead
3.10 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF MARES HURDLE 2M 4F
This a really interesting little mares’ hurdle and the Dessie Hughes-trained Icy Reply looks to be the one to beat. The daughter of Hernando has progressed relentlessly since joining Hughes, winning two of her last three starts over hurdles and finding the progressive Desertmore Stream too good for her in a novice hurdle at the Galway Festival last time.
That form sets the standard here and she will be tough to beat. Another improver is the John Byrne-trained Urtheoneiwant and she warrants the utmost respect following her easy defeat of two next-time-out winners in a maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe last time.
Selection: ICY REPLY
Next best: Urtheoneiwant
3.45 KELLS HANDICAP HURDLE (80-102) 2M 4F
Really competitive fare and marginal preference is given to the Philip Fenton-trained On My Own. The 10-year-old returned to form when winning at Killarney last time and as he is still fairly handicapped on the best of his old form, he could well follow up in this. The pick of his less exposed rivals is the Gerard Keane-trained Effernock Lad, with the five-year-old having won a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick last time.
Selection: ON MY OWN
Next best: Effernock Lad
4.15 RACING AGAIN SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 6F
Another tricky handicap hurdle and the nod is given to the Tony Martin-trained Corrick Bridge. The 12-year-old has returned to form of late and having been left with a bit too much to do at Bellewstown last time, he could well gain compensation in this. Of the rest, the Aidan Fogarty-trained Lucky Pigeon has been in very consistent form and should make another bold bid.
Selection: CORRICK BRIDGE
Next best: Lucky Pigeon
4.50 NAVANRACECOURSE.IE MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
There were plenty of gloomy faces around Ballybrit after the strongly-fancied Tandem failed to make a winning hurdling debut in a maiden hurdle at the festival meeting there, but he could well be up to gaining compensation in this. The 105-rated flat performer wasn’t helped by a mistake at the final flight at Galway and granted a clear round he will be tough to beat. Of the newcomers to hurdling, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Egyptian Warrior warrants the utmost respect having earned an official rating of 89 on the flat this season.
Selection: TANDEM
Next best: Egyptian Warrior
5.20 FOLLOW NAVAN ON FACEBOOK HANDICAP HURDLE (80-109) 2M
Gordon Elliott saddles two leading contenders for this and the pick of them looks to be Swantykay. The five-year-old has really started to progress this summer, winning two of his last four starts in handicap hurdles, and with conditions to suit in this, he could well come out on top. Of the remainder, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Cristy’s Call looks competitive after getting off the mark over hurdles at Down Royal last time.
Selection: SWANTYKAY
Next best: Cristy’s Call
5.50 FOLLOW NAVAN RACECOURSE ON TWITTER FLAT RACE 2M
The Ted Walsh-trained Swansea Mile could well be good enough to win this. The son of Dylan Thomas made an encouraging debut at Tipperary in June and should be capable of improving nicely from that. There is just one newcomers in the field, but with Mr Steadfast being trained by Gordon Elliott, any market support for him would have to be considered very significant.
Selection: SWANSEA MILE
Next best: Mr Steadfast