NAVAN: There’s high-quality racing from Navan on Saturday, with an eight-race card featuring the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle and Grade 2 Fortria Chase, while there’s also the greatly anticipated chase debut of Facile Vega to look forward to.
⭕ A maiden hurdle (11:50pm) over 2m4f begins the card. Willie Mullins’ Dancing City is likely to be a warm order here to make a winning introduction over hurdles. This son of Feel Like Dancing won once from three bumper starts in the spring but on the other two occasions he was beaten by high-class rivals in Three Card Brag and Ballyburn. Gordon Elliott’s Shantou newcomer Staffordshire Knott is of interest and needs to be closely monitored in the market.
⭕ Next up is a handicap hurdle (12:20pm) over the same 2m4f trip. Ask Anything ran in some very competitive bumpers last season, and it wasn’t surprising that he was up to the task of winning on hurdling debut at Limerick last month. This will require more improvement, but he should have scope from an initial handicap mark of 109, with both testing ground and this stiff 2m4f sure to suit.
⭕ A handicap hurdle (12:55pm) over 2m sees the return to action of Fred Winter runner-up Byker. Charles Byrnes’ runner has had a run already this season, when finishing fifth at Sligo last month and should be ready to do himself justice now. His mark of 128 is the same as the one he went close off at Cheltenham, and he looks the one to side with here. Lorna Fowler’s Banjaxed might give him most to think about.
⭕ Race four is the Grade 3 Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle (1:30pm) over 2m. Only six are set to go to post for this and it might concern the top two in the market, Dee Capo and She’s A Fine Wine. Dee Capo has won his last two starts impressively, but She’s A Fine Wine was also impressive when winning on hurdling debut on her reappearance at Limerick. That was her first run for the Henry de Bromhead team and given it was her first start of the season, she might have a bit more improvement in her than her main market rival.
⭕ Last year’s Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle (2:05pm) was won by Home By The Lee as he beat Bob Olinger into second place. Both of those rivals return for a rematch in this year’s edition, and Home By The Lee is taken to record back-to-back successes. Joesph O’Brien’s runner goes well when fresh and likes to be ridden positively, and, in the knowledge that he stays further, JJ Slevin is likely to make this a test over this 2m4f. That might draw the stamina out of market leader Zanahiyr, who has never won beyond 2m2f.
⭕ If putting it all together, Dysart Dynamo has the potential to prove too good for his four rivals in the 2m Fortria Chase (2:40pm). He was in the process of running a big race when falling at the last in the Arkle and receives weight from Captain Guinness and Saint Roi here. Keeping a lid on his early exuberance is likely to be key to his chances, so if Paul Townend can get him into a good rhythm early on, he is likely to be difficult to peg back.
⭕ The following 2m1f beginners’ chase (3:15pm) sees the return of Supreme Novices’ runner-up Facile Vega. He looks likely to take well to chasing and if putting in a clear round he is the most likely winner. This is a hot race though, with the likes of Inthepocket, who wasn’t that far behind Facile Vega in the Supreme, Saint Felicien and Sa Fureur who are all capable of making a big impact over fences this season.
⭕ A bumper (3:50pm) over 2m concludes the card. My Trump Card ran a good race on debut over hurdles (2m4f) when fourth behind Grangeclare West last season. He hasn’t been seen since then
