We head over to Navan today with an army of horses where we have 21 horses declared to run.
In the opener, division one of the maiden hurdle we have four runners. FIRM FOOTINGS has hit the crossbar on a number of occasions now and it would be great if he could get over the line in first for connections he will be ridden by Jordan Gainford. WINNING PADDY is a Bective Stud homebred so there would be great excitement if he could go well on debut and Jody McGarvey is booked to ride. ZEFIRO DODVILLE was a lovely winner of his point to point for the same connections and runs under rules for the first time here with Denis O’Regan in the saddle. CHARITY BARNUM ran well on debut to come home 5th and hopefully she can continue to improve. Conor McNamara is booked to ride.
For division two of the maiden hurdle we have OSSIFER HOPS has his second run for us and it would be great to see him improve from the last day. Denis O’Regan has been booked to ride. SMOOTH PLAYER is making a quick return to the track and will be ridden by Gavin Brouder who claims 5lbs. VALSORPRESSA is having his first start on the track and is a full brother to the great Presenting Percy, Nathan Andrews rides and claims 7lbs. ZETTABYTE was bought back from the point to point sales for new connections. He placed twice in two very competitive point to points and hopefully he can make an impression on debut with Jordan Gainford booked to ride. Finally we have EMOTIONAL DAMAGE who boast a lovely flat pedigree full of stamina. She will be ridden by Richie Condon who claims 5lbs.
For the Listed novice hurdle we have AMERICAN MIKE who unfortunately didn’t make his date with DRF. He is in great form at home and it will be great to take the covers off him, Davy Russell rides. IMAGINE tests his mettle here and it will be great to see what his level is, Jordan Gainford rides. Getting the fillies allowance we have DEEPLY SUPERFICIAL who takes on the boys yet again and will have Denis O’Regan in the saddle.
The Boyne hurdle is a very important race for us and we have SIRE DU BERLAIS who was a non runner the last day as he wasn’t feeling himself. He was the all clear now and Jody McGarvey has been booked to ride. DELTA WORK starts his Tiger Roll path to the Grand National with Rachael Blackmore booked to ride. GRAND ROI has been freshened up and can hopefully go well here with Jordan Gainford booked to ride.
Another three go forward in the handicap hurdle. WHAT AN OCEAN will only carry 11st here as we have Corey McGivern booked to ride who claims a valuable 7lbs. Ben Harvey will be ridding for us and he is on MRS PAISLEY. The 5lbs off her back can hopefully prove crucial. Finally ARCTIC AMBITION will hardly notice there is anyone on her as Danny Gilligan will be claims a further 7lbs off her already low 10st12.
FRONTAL ASSAULT is our only contender for the Ten Up which is a great stepping stone for next month. This horse has plenty of experience and will be ridden by Jordan Gainford.
We will claim off BALLYKEEL in the handicap chase over 3m. He has been running very well in chases and just been touched off a few times. Corey McGivern has been booked to take off 7lbs.
Finally rounding off a busy day is FIREFOX a stunning half brother to The Bosses Oscar. He was an expensive store purchase and can hopefully prove worth the wait. Whatever he does this season will be a bonus as he looks a great horse for the future. Jamie Codd has been booked to ride.
