NAVAN survived an inspection of the chase track to host a full card on Saturday, which was probably to the delight of John McConnell whose Mahler Mission (145) proved to be the star turn on the clock at the Co Meath track.

Reverting to front-running tactics brought out the best in the seven-year-old. He jumped impeccably bar a mistake at the second last fence to register an easy success.

Although the other race on the card over fences was a low-grade affair, there was a sufficient difference between the two contests to award a good time figure, even before adding the sectional breakdown.

Ben Harvey controlled the tempo of the race perfectly before an injection of pace at the fifth saw the partnership cover their closing sectional in 79.3secs, compared to the 82.8secs taken by handicap winner Four Country Roads (105).

As a result of the strong finish, the final circuit advantage was 7.7secs over Brian McMahon’s nine-year-old.

The National Hunt Chase at the Festival could be next on the agenda for the son of Mahler where the extra distance of ground will play to his strengths.

It’s For Me (115+) was another to enhance his Cheltenham credentials as his impressive debut saw him catapulted into favouritism for the Champion Bumper.

The Munir & Souede-owned gelding won with any amount in hand, although he will need to improve significantly on the clock to justify his place in the market come March.

The slow early pace prevented a strong time figure so the best indication of his ability is his closing sectional, which from the fourth last hurdle was 0.1secs slower than Path D’oroux (132+), who stopped the clock at 97.7secs.

Gavin Cromwell’s opening race winner may have looked fortunate the way circumstances developed in the straight, although his performance was the most notable on the clock.

The six-year-old confirmed the strongest time figure with the fastest final circuit, covering the ground 2.1secs faster than handicap winner HMS Seahorse.

The closing sectionals brought the two closer together as Sean O’Keefe produced HMS Seahorse (132+) with a perfectly-timed challenge to complete his race in 99.1secs, which deserves credit as the five-year-old covered half-a-mile further.

This was a first venture beyond two miles over hurdles for Paul Nolan’s gelding who can progress further at this trip and maybe over further in time.

There was also plenty to like about the finishing effort of Shanbally Kid (115+), who benefited from a patent ride.

Willie Mullins’ gelding covered the ground from the fourth last in 98.1secs to fend off Monty’s Star (113+) who would have registered the slower finishing split having held a similar position at the start of the sectional.

For the record, Pure Sirloin (105), who came from what looked like an impossible to win, was the slowest at all stages and probably took advantage of his rivals slowing down at the finish.

Clonmel on February 17th concludes the analysis for this week. At that meeting Gaelic Warrior (130+) and moreover Night And Day (146+) highlighted the card.

The mare clocked the fastest time in the opening contest, which she confirmed with a faster closing split and final circuit as her enthusiasm saw her cover the ground from the third last hurdle in 86.7secs, 2.7secs quicker than her stable companion.

Eyecatchers of the week

Chola Empire (94+) Southwell, Saturday, January 21st – enjoyed a clearer passage than at Chelmsford on his previous start to win in a very swift speed figure

Alrehb (100) Southwell, Monday, January 23rd – returned from a break in style and could be a live contender for the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton in March given this smart effort on the clock