THE final three Irish National Hunt meetings ahead of the major Christmas action take place this weekend, and Navan stages the most valuable contest on home soil with the Listed Download The BetVictor App Tara Handicap Hurdle (1.10) worth €45,000 tomorrow.

Wide-margin maiden hurdle winner Shannon Royale, who took the scalp of Tullyhill at the Punchestown Winter Festival, looks a big player for Gordon Elliott and Robcour, but another last-time-out winner with smart credentials is Navan Racing Festival scorer Harvard Guy, representing J.P. McManus and the training partnership of Eddie and Patrick Harty.

A decent second to Buddy One (now rated 152) in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last January when beaten just three and a quarter lengths, the unexposed five-year-old proved well handicapped off a mark of 109 when getting the better of Ask Anything on handicap debut last month.

The assessor has raised him 10lb for that breakthrough success, which also provided Patrick Harty with his first win for the green and gold McManus silks since joining his father as a joint-licence holder.

“It was very important to get that first winner for him,” Patrick Harty told The Irish Field.

“J.P. has been a great supporter of Eddie’s over the years, he’s been fantastic. It meant a lot to me to get a winner with my name on the licence for him.

“Harvard Guy handled the ground and the distance well at Navan. He’s a big horse and the big, galloping track there seemed to suit him nicely.”

Despite that win coming in calmer waters last time, the Telescope gelding looks a fascinating contender in the weekend’s Irish feature if continuing his progression. He is bound to be one of the leading fancies.

Harty said: “Naturally enough when he’s a big horse, he’s improved a bit from his first run of the season. He was always going to come on from it and he did it nicely.

“We’re up in grade in a big way and it’s a more competitive race but hopefully he can put his best foot forward.”