11.45 Bar One Racing “Price Boosts Across All Channels” 3-Y-0 Hurdle 2m
Kala Conti, an easy winner of her sole start in France, catches the eye on Irish debut. Trainer Gordon Elliott has a strong team of juvenile hurdlers this season, so the fact he pitches the Robcour-owned filly into this contest suggests she must be showing plenty at home. Jockey bookings also suggest that she is the stable first string.
Casheldale Lad is an interesting newcomer for the Elliott yard. A surprise winner on his only run on the flat for previous connections, he was subsequently bought to go jumping. As a half-brother to a blacktype filly over hurdles, he is certainly bred for the game.
SELECTION: KALA CONTI
Next best: Casheldale Lad
12.15 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m
Paggane, making her debut for Willie Mullins after a long absence, should be difficult to beat. A winner on the flat in France, the four-year-old is totally unexposed over flights so has the potential to be smart. The fact that she has been bought by a leading owner also suggests that she must be quite highly regarded.
Magic Dawn has a bit to prove here after disappointing on her stable debut at Aintree when last seen. However, if fully recovered from a run that was unquestionably too bad to be true, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare would be a serious threat. The form of her Punchestown bumper win for previous connections looks particularly strong.
SELECTION: PAGGANE
Next best: Magic Dawn
12.45 Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells “Day At The Races “ Handicap Hurdle 2m
Falvio could be worth chancing on just his second start for trainer Colin McBratney. Having been placed on a couple of occasions over two miles for Tony Martin last season, the five-year-old was stepped up markedly in trip on his recent stable debut at Down Royal. In all likelihood, that was just a blow out at his local track and he is almost certain to be sharper with the run under his belt.
In For The Night, a lightly raced gelding, ran his best race to date on his penultimate start when runner-up at this track. Although he needs to be forgiven a subsequent below par effort at Downpatrick, that latter venue may just not have suited.
SELECTION: FALVIO
Next best: In For The Night
1.20 John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 4f
Search For Glory, a second-season novice, can make the most of his previous experience.
A former point-to-point and bumper winner, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding finished third in Grade 3 company at Clonmel in February before disappointing at Cheltenham the following month. Having shaped much better when mid-division at Aintree in April, he made a winning reappearance at Galway recently.
Stablemate Croke Park doesn’t have as much to recommend him on bare form but is potentially capable of much better. The fact that Jack Kennedy has sided with the Clonmel maiden hurdle winner is arguably a tip in itself.
SELECTION: SEARCH FOR GLORY
Next best: Croke Park
1.55 Bar One Racing “Bet 10
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The lightly-raced Slane Hill catches the eye reverting to hurdles off what could be a favourable mark. A recent winner on his chasing debut at Kilbeggan, the Barry Connell-trained six-year-old had looked a potentially smart prospect when winning his maiden hurdle at Naas in December. In a contest where the majority of the opposition look exposed, he stands out.
Atacanter needs to put a poor run at Fairyhouse last time behind him but if doing so, Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding should give a good account. The fitting of first time cheekpieces may well see the six-year-old in a better light.
SELECTION: SLANE HILL
Next best: Atacanter
2.30 Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m
Hollow Games has yet to win over this trip under rules but the Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old should have every chance of staying.
A smart novice hurdler two seasons ago, he made a very impressive chasing debut at this track last November when jumping exceptionally well. Although disappointing on two subsequent runs in Grade 1 company, he ran much better when fourth in a competitive handicap at the Punchestown Festival. His reappearance, when staying on strongly up the Galway hill to take third place in the Plate, suggests he can make up for lost time.
Former Troytown winner Run Wild Fred is back on a competitive mark - just 4lb higher than his win in the 2021 renewal. Following a pleasing comeback effort when fifth in the Munster National, he should go close under Jack Kennedy.
SELECTION: HOLLOW GAMES
Next best: Run Wild Fred
3.05 Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase 2m 4f
Cheltenham Festival bumper runner-up Fact To File should be good enough to make a winning start to his career over fences. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, who was one of the better horses in his grade last season, skips a hurdling career in favour of going straight over fences. The six-year-old has already won his point-to-point, so connections clearly feel that he is made to be a chaser, and he was subject to promising comment by his trainer in recent stable tour previews.
American Mike also filled the runner-up spot in a Cheltenham bumper, having run in the race the previous season. After a mixed campaign over hurdles last term, connections have also decided to go down the chasing route with the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding.
SELECTION: FACT TO FILE
Next best: American Mike
3.40 Coolmore N.H. Sires Hurricane Lane Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race (Listed Race) 2m
Only By Night can take this finale for Gavin Cromwell and Derek O’Connor. A former Irish point-to-point winner, the five-year-old finished third on her only UK start for Jonjo O’Neill before easily winning her bumper on debut for Cromwell at Limerick last time. Although she will understandably need to take a big step up here, the Affinisea mare looks capable of doing so.
Theflyingbee could potentially be the dark horse in the race as she escapes a winners’ penalty having twice finished runner-up at Galway. Faced with another stiff climb here at Navan, she should be staying on better than most when it comes to the business end.
SELECTION: ONLY BY NIGHT
Next best: Theflyingbee