2.00 Race Displays Maiden Hurdle 2m

A fair deal of improvement could be expected to come from Media Naranja’s respectable Irish introduction at Gowran Park last month when fourth against more experienced rivals. Bought for 110,000gns at a Tattersalls online sale in December, the daughter of Yeats won on her only start in France when scoring by eight lengths in a Craon fillies’ maiden over a mile and a half, and is well bred as a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Mossy Fen.

Trained by Gordon Elliott, she makes most appeal in what looks a weaker race than last time. Como Park, representing Henry de Bromhead, was a useful enough operator on the flat when achieving a mark of 90 for Joseph O’Brien. He can follow the selection home on his hurdles debut.

SELECTION: MEDIA NARANJA

Next best: Como Park

2.35 Wesco Electrical Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m

This race has been won by talented sorts such as Scarlet And Dove, Santa Rossa and Belle Metal in the last three years but it doesn’t appear to have the same sort of quality this time.

Charity Barnum was a bit of an eyecatcher when fifth to stablemate Firm Footings on her latest start in a maiden hurdle here last month and could be the answer for Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford.

Given her unexposed profile, with just a bumper and maiden hurdle run to her name, she should have more to come. Cash The Cheque bumped into Cheltenham-bound Lot Of Joy last time at Fairyhouse and should be firmly in the mix again.

SELECTION: CHARITY BARNUM

Next best: Cash The Cheque

3.10 Navan Racecourse

Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Ahead Of The Posse must leave behind a poor result on his last outing at Punchestown in order to make it two wins in the space of three starts, but he can be excused for that handicap hurdle flop due to the fact he was found to be coughing post race. Gavin Cromwell, who has sent out 19 winners since the turn of the year, will have freshened up the lightly raced six-year-old and it would be no surprise if he reeablished his progressive ways here.

Returning to better ground could see a much-improved performance from the Tony Martin-trained Unanswered, who proved bitterly disappointing when sent off the 11/4 favourite for a competitive handicap hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival last time. A ready winner at Cheltenham in November, he still has the potential to be better than his mark of 113 if delivering his ‘A’ game.

SELECTION: AHEAD OF THE POSSE

Next best: Unanswered

3.45 Racing Next On March 11th Maiden Hurdle 2m 6f 100yds

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA can get off the mark over hurdles in the race won by Grand National hero Noble Yeats two years ago. An imposing seven-year-old by Walk In The Park, the John McConnell-trained youngster could be viewed as a future chasing type but this looks a good opportunity for him to go one better than his Christmas second to the more experienced Eye Van at Down Royal.

Fantasio D’Alene’s early bumper and maiden hurdle form is the best on offer here but he is difficult to have complete trust in after bursting a blood vessel when pulling up last time. Western Walk, making his first start since joining Jonathan Sweeney from Gavin Cromwell, should appreciate the decent ground on offer but could well need the run after a 277-day layoff.

SELECTION: JIMMY CHOU PECOS AA

Next best: Fantasio D’Alene

4.20 PS Supplies Doors & Floors Flyingbolt Novice Chase (Grade 3) 2m

The decision to bypass a tilt at the Arkle in favour of this Grade 3 looks a sensible move by the connections of Hollow Games, who should be able to take advantage of this drop in class since his last start at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. We didn’t get a true reflection of his ability there when beaten 22 lengths in fourth behind Saint Roi, but he has since undergone a breathing operation to rectify an entrapped epiglottis discovered after that poor showing.

He likes this track, having won last season’s Monksfield Novice Hurdle and a beginners’ chase in November at this venue, and decent ground should play to his strengths. Reverting to a sounder surface should also help Ha D’Or bounce back from when disappointing behind Impervious at Punchestown in January on heavy ground. Paul Townend has sided with Flame Bearer ahead of Ha D’Or, but the champion jockey’s mount is also difficult to have full faith in after bombing out at the Dublin Racing Festival.

SELECTION: HOLLOW GAMES

Next best: Ha D’Or

4.50 Navan Members Veterans Handicap Chase 3m

Dermot McLoughlin’s string has started to hit form in the last month and The Echo Boy could be able to continue his trainer’s fine run in a race for horses aged 10 and older. He has very few miles on the clock for his age and shaped promisingly enough on his second start since returning from a 537-day layoff last time. The track, trip and ground should be all in his favour, so the hope is that he can find improvement from his latest fifth here last month.

The Gordon Elliott-trained trio of Milan Native, Definite Plan and Glenloe would all have live chances if back to form but haven’t been firing on all cylinders lately. Despite being 5lb out of the handicap, Kalli’s Quest, who has headgear fitted for the first time (cheekpieces), could give the selection most to think about at an each-way price.

SELECTION: THE ECHO BOY

Next best: Kalli’s Quest

5.20 NavanRacecourse.ie Mares Handicap Chase 2m 4f 90yds

Just six go to post for the concluding mares-only event and a chance is taken on the Tom Gibney-trained Shes Some Doll, who races off an attractive weight of 10st 2lb. Having fallen on her first two starts for this stable, it was encouraging to see her finish a creditable third last month at Fairyhouse, albeit that form has taken a couple of knocks since.

Saturday’s trip is probably her optimum, the ground won’t inconvenience her and holes can be picked in the form of her rivals to an extent. Motown Maggie will appreciate dropping in class but has to concede plenty of weight, Bonnie Kellie probably wants softer ground, Ena Baie is 0-20 in Ireland, Echoes In Family has been absent for 205 days and Pennywell Girl is 9lb out of the handicap.

SELECTION:SHES SOME DOLL

Next best: Motown Maggie