Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

An Tobar: Well touted point-to-point recruit missed all of intended first season, but looks smart so far in a couple of starts this term - comfortably holding subsequent Leopardstown scorer Champagne Admiral on debut at Fairyhouse before finishing third to Farren Glory and King Of Kingsfield in Grade 1 Royal Bond at the same track. Slowly run nature of that race probably didn’t help him, as for all that he was in prime position turning for home, he lacked a turn of foot to fully capitalise, so this step up in trip looks a positive and don’t be surprised to see him run well again.

Chapeau De Soleil: Stowlin point winner made a smart start to novice hurdling when winning as he liked in Clonmel, two mile and three furlongs on heavy ground. That was his first win for powerful connections - second in Fairyhouse bumper last term before finishing mid-division in Champion Bumper. Has the potential to take this step up in class.

Croke Park: Dromahane point winner cost £400,000 in Aintree parade ring and has started to live up to that potential with two wins from two starts over hurdles this term - easy winner at Clonmel and then fought hard to land odds-on price in Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle over today’s trip at Navan. He looked laboured for that latter success, taking a relatively long time to settle the contest from stablemates Mel Monroe and subsequent three-mile Grade 3 scorer Search For Glory, and he might just be vulnerable to some pacier horses here.

Firefox: Triple bumper winner got his novice hurdling campaign off to an excellent start when quickening away form Ballyburn in steadily run two-mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse. That Mullins inmate has won impressively since, and while he has likely improved from his debut outing, he was ultimately well held at Fairyhouse. Step up in trip should suit and his trainer often sends his best novice hurdler here, which bodes well given the impressive performance from stablemate Caldwell Potter at Leopardstown.

Ile Atlantique: Notably just held off by Firefox in a Fairyhouse bumper on last start last term, while he got off to perfect start over hurdles when 19-length winner of Gowran two-mile-three-furlong maiden hurdle in November (heavy ground). The form of that race has worked out well so he looks a real threat to Firefox and Co, with proven ability to act in these conditions over this sort of trip.

Lecky Watson: Winless from five bumper starts but finished fourth in Champion Bumper and off the mark at first time over hurdles, working hard to score two-mile-seven-furlong contest at Thurles from Rushmount and Shannon Royale, the latter scoring easily since. Dropped down to this trip for Navan Novice Hurdle and ran promisingly behind Slade Steel, running a little bit in snatches in the straight but finished off well. More to come but possibly over a longer trip.

Readin Tommy Wrong: Dual bumper winner right at the start of the season before returning off a 192-day break to score on the first time of asking over hurdles at Cork. He was hard pressed to land odds-on price there, but he ran green, jumping to his left and swerving to his right in the straight. Improvement likely but plenty of it needed in this company.

Conclusion:

The defection of Mystical Power robs the race of an each-way attraction. An Tobar looked a fine option in that regard. Henry de Bromhead's horse could yet still trouble the front two with this step up in trip set to suit, but with top two terms, and the slightly quicker ground, Firefox looks a solid favourite. Gordon Elliott's gelding looked very smart when too strong for Ballyburn late on at Fairyhouse and that form looks top notch now.