12.10 Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle 2m

This race has been won by some talented horses in the past, including Banbridge, Un De Sceaux and Sir Des Champs, and judging by Gordon Elliott’s comments on Racing TV on Thursday, Lazare De Star is also destined for bigger things.

He said: “I thought I was going for a Grade 1 [after his maiden win] but when he got a mark of 126, I had to run him in this novice hurdle.”

His comments suggest he should win this with authority, and the manner of his Leopardstown win certainly backs that up. The return to two miles shouldn’t be a problem, given his promising second behind a smart horse on hurdle bow over this trip.

Fierce Handay won over course and distance on his penultimate start before finishing a fine second over half a mile further at Leopardstown.

German flat-bred Zeus Power may have an advantage over today’s trip, and while it’s difficult to know what he beat at Thurles last time, he couldn’t have done it any easier.

Tramore winner Bon Viveur has something to prove against today’s competition.

SELECTION: LAZARE DE STAR

Next best: Zeus Power

12.45 NavanRacecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle 2m 6f

Court Compliance has had the misfortune of bumping into useful types on both his starts over hurdles but looks to have a strong chance of getting his head in front here. His stamina isn’t in doubt, having rallied to the line over this trip at Punchestown, with the winner subsequently landing a valuable handicap at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

He Can’t Dance was 11 lengths behind Court Compliance at Punchestown, despite having the benefit of a previous run this season. He redeemed himself somewhat in a first-time tongue tie next time out but it’s difficult to see him reversing the form just yet.

Bally Free - the horse that narrowly beat Melbourne Shamrock over three miles here last month – was fourth in the same race, but it was his first start since February, so his latest performance is more informative and suggests he could be a smart horse.

His stamina was possibly what beat Emmet Mullins’ charge, whose run also rates highly, with the pair finishing 13 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Point winners Grey Balls Of Fire and Timesarechanging are worth a look on their hurdle debuts.

SELECTION: MELBOURNE SHAMROCK

Next best: Court Compliance

1.20 Navan Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 40yd

Plenty with chances in this €45,000 feature, with a tentative shout for the unexposed mare Zanoosh on her handicap bow. Colm Murphy’s hope won her maiden hurdle in good style at Punchestown, comprehensively beating a short-priced favourite of Willie Mullins’. Improving with every run, the daughter of Harzand enjoys today’s ground.

A case can be made for all of Gordon Elliott’s four, with preference for Son Of Anarchy as the once highly-regarded seven-year-old bids to overcome a 10lb hike for his clear success in a handicap hurdle last time out.

He looks capable of improving further, which looks less likely for The Nagger Reidy, who went up 6lb for winning by a nose under a 7lb claimer at Leopardstown. Today’s weights and claims shine more favourably on his recent rival Hgranca De Thaix.

Of the remainder, Sam Ewing’s mount Grimaud is expected to appreciate the drop down in trip. It’s a step up for Balko d’Ange, but his pedigree suggests it could bring improvement.

SELECTION: ZANOOSH

Next best: Son Of Anarchy

1.50 Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 40yd

Shellrunforbriggs is of obvious appeal with an introductory mark of 102, following her eight-length win at Naas last month. It wasn’t the strongest maiden hurdle, but she won in fine style and is evidently improving with racing.

Teds Corner was doing his best work late on when finishing fourth in a similar race earlier this month. Well-backed on his last three starts, he is expected to be so again today under the in-form Daniel King.

Additionally, he may prefer today’s softer ground, in contrast to Johnny Cakes, who was half a length in front of him last time out.

Magic Boum has the potential to return to form here, with the benefit of Paddy Cleary’s claim. She beat a useful type in a maiden hurdle here as a four-year-old and should come on from last month’s effort, her first start since March.

SELECTION: SHELLRUNFORBRIGGS

Next best: Teds Corner

2.25 QuinnBet Beginners Chase 3m

Slade Steel deserves to get his head in front for the first time since landing the 2024 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Runner-up to Grade 1 chasers on both his starts over fences last season, he finished a fine second last month on his first start in 12 months and looked to have every chance when brought down next time out.

Wingmen was 10 lengths behind him two starts ago and it’s difficult to see why the form would be reversed here.

Stablemate Patter Merchant warrants consideration on the basis of his narrow defeat two starts ago, with the winner following up since, but he isn’t guaranteed to stay.

With that in mind, lightly-raced nine-year-old Spread Boss Ted has the opportunity to make his presence felt on chasing debut. A point-to-point graduate and useful hurdler, he’s by a sire whose progeny have a better strike rate over fences.

SELECTION: SLADE STEEL

Next best: Spread Boss Ted

3.00 Gormanlough Handicap Chase 3m

Made In The Woods is back down to the same chase mark that saw him beaten a neck in March by a rival completing a four-timer. Last month’s sixth, on his first start since June and on his stable bow, should set him up nicely for today.

Brown Boots’ latest effort, when sixth in a handicap hurdle, was his best to date under rules, but there’s reason to believe he will be seen to better effect now going chasing, as the Affinisea gelding was in front when unseating at the second last on his sole start between the flags.

North Of Nashville completes the shortlist. Twice a winner over staying trips, she is expected to step forward on what will be her third start this season, having been absent for over a year prior.

SELECTION: MADE IN THE WOODS

Next best: Brown Boots

3.35 Racing Again February 8th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Low Kick caught the eye on rules debut, meeting plenty of traffic before staying on for third in a point-to-point bumper at Aintree. Jack Teal was full of praise for the Montmartre gelding after he subsequently sold for £170,000 and he now debuts for last year’s winning trainer.

Gigginstown are also represented by £200,000 buy The Irish Avatar, who was sent off favourite when second at Dromahane on his sole start for Colin Bowe. By hot young sire Poet’s Word, he looks an exciting prospect.

Of the remainder, Liskeveen is the most appealing, the Crystal Ocean gelding hailing from a yard capable of readying one on debut.

SELECTION: THE IRISH AVATAR

Next best: Low Kick