Tag Archive for: Navan

Everlasting back to winning ways in Listed company at Navan

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Everlasting made the most of a drop to Listed company in the Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes at Navan.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Kingman filly has been highly tried this term, finishing fourth in the Park Express Stakes on her seasonal bow before being just a length in third by subsequent Oaks victor Ezeliya in the Salsabil Stakes.

Sent off a 25-1 outsider in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month, Everlasting was a well-beaten 11th, with O’Brien moving back in class in search of a second win in six career starts.

There was plenty of confidence in Ryan Moore’s mount as she was sent off the 10-11 favourite and she looked the winner when assuming control a furlong from home.

Asian Daze made a late dash for glory, but Moore had a bit up his sleeve and Everlasting asserted again to win by half a length.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Ryan gave her a lovely ride. Obviously she had a good run here in the Oaks trial over 10 furlongs (the Salsabil).

“Dylan (Browne McMonagle) rode her in the Irish Guineas and in fairness he realised from a long way out that it wasn’t happening for him, so he looked after her. That gave us the option of coming here to get the black type.”

Everlasting is entered in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, for which she is now 25s from 50-1 with Paddy Power, as well as the Ribblesdale. But a trip to Berkshire is far from certain.

Armstrong added: “She’s had two runs in quite quick succession. She’s in a few races at Ascot, but we’ll see whether we give her a bit of time and look towards the summer, let her go up the grades and look to a Group Three.

“She’s a filly with an awful lot of talent and she’s still putting everything together. Once she puts it together there is a real good race in her down the line.”



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Celtic Chieftain puts his name into the Ascot mix for O’Brien

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Celtic Chieftain could enter Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot calculations after a debut victory in the Lynn Lodge Stud Irish EBF Maiden at Navan.

Once-raced stablemate Alfred Tennyson was the pick for Ryan Moore and he was sent off at 7-4, with Wayne Lordan taking the reins aboard newcomer Celtic Chieftain at odds of 8-1.

The No Nay Never colt travelled well, making smooth progress before grabbing the lead and fending off 11-8 favourite Red Evolution by a neck.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He’s a smart colt, he’s a typical No Nay Never with loads of natural speed.

“Wayne was very happy with him. He had been coming along nicely in the last few weeks at home, at this time of year you just have to get them out and see exactly where they fit in.

“Wayne thought he was still very green but once he grabbed a hold of him, he really stretched to the line and there is plenty of improvement in him. He has a good change of gear.

“We’ll see over the next week how he pulls up and comes through it, but he could be in the Ascot mix as well, for something like the Windsor Castle.

“He’s not short of boot and he’ll come on plenty mentally.”

Following the victory of Everlasting in the Listed Kooyonga Stakes, Old Faithful (9-4 favourite) made it a Ballydoyle treble in the TRI Equestrian Handicap.

The Moore-ridden Old Faithful had beaten the reopposing Gibbs Island into second last time out and confirmed that form, with that rival edged into a narrow third by Going Remote.

Armstrong said: “He’s a horse that’s educating himself from race to race and we’re just bringing him along slowly.

“He’s a real strong traveller and Ryan gave him a lovely ride just to ease him into it.

“Once he puts everything together there is a really good pot in him. We’ll see how he is in the handicap now and possibly look at the Britannia in Ascot or the mile-and-a-quarter handicap (Golden Gates Stakes).

“He’s got no problem with the trip over a mile or a mile and a quarter.”

Thunderbear ended a barren spell with a length-and-a-quarter victory in the Navan Racecourse Handicap.

Jack Davison’s runner last struck gold in a Newbury Group Three back in September, with five subsequent runs in a mix of Listed and handicap company yielding no joy, but he regained his sparkle in slightly easier company.

“He’s a legend, he’s been great for us and won a Group Three in England last year for us,” said Davison.

“He’s actually developing into a nice sprinter as he gets older. He had been a bit disappointing this season, so it was nice to get him back into calmer waters and get the win. Hopefully we can build from here.

“It was all about getting a win this season and we’ll use that as a springboard. I doubt if we’d look at a handicap in Ascot as he’d have a lot of weight. We’ll pick his shots for the rest of the season.”



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Harrington delighted as Birdman takes flight at Navan

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Jessica Harrington has Royal Ascot in mind for Birdman after he flew to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes at Navan.

The Free Eagle gelding was a winner on debut when taking a Cork maiden over a mile and a half in April, and stepped up both in class and trip for his next outing.

Competing over a mile and five furlongs at Listed level, the three-year-old was partnered by Shane Foley in a field of four.

A 9-4 chance, Birdman was ridden patiently but had no trouble taking up the lead in the final two furlongs to secure a comfortable length-and-a-quarter triumph.

“It was a lovely run and it was great to see,” Harrington.

“It was only the second run of his life and we are delighted.

“Most likely he’ll go for the Queen’s Vase at Ascot, that’s the plan. We thought he would take the jump in class in his stride.

“He goes on good ground and would go on quicker ground. I was a bit worried in Cork that it was a little bit too soft for him, but he coped with that.

“He’s a great big baby and he’s only a frame of a horse. He’s still a work in progress.”

Andy Oliver’s Sounds Like A Plan also has bigger prizes in his sights after a taking three-length win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Under Billy Lee the Night Of Thunder colt was making his debut, but showed only a few signs of greenness when scoring at 5-1 to bring Group targets into consideration.

“He’s a horse that at home does his work, eats, sleeps and repeats,” the trainer said.

“Credit to Molly who was leading up today, she rides him every day and just loves him. She does a great job.

“He had done everything we asked him, we never pushed him at home but he had come on and we felt he was ready for a run.

“We came here with hope rather than expectation because we had never asked him the big question.

“He did it very well and was very straightforward. He was slightly green just when he was out on his own but, apart from that, very straightforward. Billy was very happy with him, so delighted with the performance.

“There is the Marble Hill next week, but it might be a bit quick to come back. You never know, we will see. He has been engaged in the Railway Stakes, obviously with the possibility of going across the water. We’ll talk it out and make a plan.”



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Kyprios makes perfect return in Vintage Crop

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Kyprios enjoyed a Saturday afternoon stroll at Navan as he made a winning return in the SBK Vintage Crop Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer endured an truncated campaign last season, with an injury restricting him to just two outings.

He showed he retained all his ability when second in the Irish St Leger and at Ascot on Champions Day but this spring has been much smoother for him.

O’Brien’s plan was to come to this race, head for the Saval Beg and then go for the Gold Cup at Ascot, which was one of four successive Group Ones Kyprios won two years ago.

Kyprios returns under Ryan Moore
Kyprios returns under Ryan Moore (PA)

The first leg was carried out with the minimum of fuss under Ryan Moore, who moved up to join stablemate Queenstown a furlong out before forging clear to win by three and a quarter lengths as the 2-13 favourite.

“Delighted with him this year, great to get him back,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan gave him a lovely, uncomplicated ride. Wayne (Lordan on Queenstown) set a lovely, even pace and he kept taking him.

“I couldn’t be happier really.

“When he gets there he doesn’t do much and that is the way he is, but he was travelling very easily all the way.

“Everything is good so far – the plan was to come here, go to Leopardstown (Saval Beg) and go to the Gold Cup. He is a lovely horse to have.”



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Ezeliya stakes Classic claim with Salsabil verdict

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Ezeliya ended Purple Lily’s unbeaten start to her career when running down Paddy Twomey’s filly in the closing stages of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes at Navan.

Winner of a Cork maiden on her second outing last season, the Dermot Weld-trained Ezeliya was a 9-1 shot in a strong Listed race.

Purple Lily appeared to have everything covered as Billy Lee unleased down on the outside of Everlasting and Caught You Looking, but Chris Hayes, who had been pushing away for some time on Ezeliya, was getting a real tune out of his filly.

She flew home to win by half a length and earn a quote of 16-1 from Coral for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom.

“I thought she would run a big race and she did,” said Weld.

“It was a very true-run Group race and they went a real good gallop for a mile and a quarter.

“Chris took his time on her. He planned to sit a little bit closer but the pace they were going he waited. I loved the way she attacked the hill and saw her race out well. Better ground will suit her better.”

Ezeliya is a daughter of Dubawi out of Eziyra, who was a multiple Group race winner for Weld and placed third behind Enable in the 2017 Irish Oaks.

He added: “It is a lovely family – a good, tough family and I think she will get a mile and a half.

“She is a Group One filly – lots to look forward to.”

When asked about the Epsom and Irish Oaks, he replied: “She is in both and we will review it and see.

“We will see how she progresses during the week and make a decision in two weeks.”



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Camille Pissarro makes favourable impression on debut

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Aidan O’Brien’s expensive purchase Camille Pissarro justified odds-on favouritism when making a winning debut at Navan.

The imposing colt by Wootton Bassett cost 1.25 million guineas as a yearling, partly because he is a half-brother to Clive Cox’s Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde.

Ryan Moore briefly looked in trouble two furlongs out but was just cajoling his mount along to keep him in contention as Billie Be Quick gave him something to aim at.

Camille Pissarro wore him down though and then repelled the late run of Fozzy Stack’s New Theory by a length and a half, in a race the same connections won 12 months ago with subsequent Royal Ascot winner River Tiber.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “A lovely start. He’s a horse that has shown a bit at home and it is great to get him out here.

“He has a very good attitude which is typical of the Wootton Bassett’s.

“He is very exciting, the penny was only starting to drop with him really in the last half-furlong which was probably the best part of the race for him.

“He is definitely one for (Royal) Ascot, he’s a classy sort. Whether we get one run into him between now and Ascot, I’m not sure. We could go to Ascot without a run.

“He’s one of the smart ones and exciting.”

When asked if he could go over six or seven furlongs at Ascot, he replied: “The last half-furlong he only really figured out what everything was about.

“Once he puts the front nine and back nine together, he is very exciting.

“He has got an unbelievable pedigree by Wootton Bassett and a fantastic attitude.”

Jessica Harrington’s Givemethebeatboys (13-8 favourite) also has Royal Ascot on his agenda after getting up to deny Betsen in the final strides of the Space Traveller Irish EBF Committed Stakes.

The colt was last seen finishing fourth in the Middle Park Stakes and subsequently travelled to America for the Breeders’ Cup, but was scratched by the local vets on raceday.

Givemethebeatboys with winning connections
Givemethebeatboys with winning connections (PA)

“He toughed it out well,” said Harrington.

“He did everything wrong in a way because he was free early on, took a blow at the furlong pole and he (Shane Foley) had to wait for him, the other horse (Betsen) had had a run and he will be much better for that. That will sharpen him up a lot.

“He was good with the penalty on him. He got rolling again and was always going to get there.

“He’ll go to Naas now and then the plan is the Commonwealth Cup.”



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Blood Destiny records stylish Navan victory

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Blood Destiny came back in trip to some effect to claim the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan.

Beaten by Spillane’s Tower in January when taking a keen hold in front, he moved nicely this time in second for Paul Townend, going strongly after three out before leading two from home and winging the last on the way to an impressive victory, with his Punchestown conqueror six and a half lengths in arrears on this occasion.

“New tactics, I thought that might be a help after Punchestown,” Willie Mullins said of his 8-11 favourite.

“Paul was very taken with him there. He’s brilliant to jump, that was always his feature, but we were making too much use of his jumping instead of just using it when we needed it.

“Coming back in trip might have been a help as well.”

Despite being trimmed for his Cheltenham Festival entries (Arkle and Turners Novices’ Chase), Mullins has other plans.

He added: “I don’t know whether we’ve made a mistake now leaving him at home for Cheltenham but at least he has one nice prize in the bag.

“I’d imagine he’ll probably go for the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. That was the plan, here and then on to that.

“I know it’s two and a half, but that two and a half will be all right for him as well.”

Ash Tree Meadow and Sam Ewing after winning the Webster Cup
Ash Tree Meadow and Sam Ewing after winning the Webster Cup (Gary Carson/PA)

Ash Tree Meadow was a 7-2 winner of the BoyleSports Webster Cup for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing.

Turning out just six days after finishing fourth in the Newlands Chase at Naas behind the brilliant but injury-plagued Ferny Hollow, the eight-year-old made every yard of the running on his way to a three-and-a-quarter length victory over Lucid Dreams.

The long-absent 4-6 favourite Journey With Me was a further half a length away in third place.

“It wasn’t really the plan to run him but when the race looked like it would cut up we decided we’d declare him and then make our mind up what to do. It worked out great,” Elliott said.

“He’s a good horse, Sam said he hated that ground and he’ll be better on better ground.

“There is a race in Fairyhouse and a race in Aintree for him. ”

Elliott and Ewing were completing a double on the card following the earlier victory of 4-6 favourite Instant Tendance in the BoyleSports Money Back 2nd To The Favourite Mares Maiden Hurdle.

“We had four or five seconds last weekend but no winner. I’d be anxious myself, we haven’t much between now and Cheltenham but it’s happy days (today),” Elliott added.



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Newbury meeting given go-ahead following two inspections

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Newbury’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup meeting was given the green light following a second morning inspection at the Berkshire circuit.

While Friday’s six-race card took place in its entirety, conditions worsened throughout the day and with further rain forecast, an initial precautionary check was announced for 8am.

The course was found to be waterlogged in places early on Saturday morning, but officials were keen to give the fixture every chance and the track was passed fit to race shortly before a second planned inspection time of 10am.

Saturday’s Navan card, featuring the Grade Three Flyingbolt Novice Chase and the Grade Two BoyleSports Webster Cup, will also go ahead as scheduled after the course passed a a 7.30am inspection.

IHRB clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said: “I’m pleased to say that the track at Navan is fit for racing and has passed our inspection here this morning.

“The team here at Navan have done an outstanding job on the track and there is no longer any standing water. The ground remains heavy, and will be testing, but racing goes ahead.”

Leopardstown’s meeting on Sunday came through an initial Saturday morning inspection, and following a further check in the afternoon it received the go-ahead.

Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said: “Following a dry day and a rise in temperatures, all the snow has cleared the track at Leopardstown and we are now fit for racing tomorrow.

“The ground on the hurdle track is heavy and we are soft, soft to heavy in places on the chase track following the heavy rain Thursday night into Friday and the snow accumulation.

“The forecast is to remain mainly dry and settled with bright spells into tomorrow afternoon. There is the possibility of some further showers through Monday and we do have some fresh ground on the hurdle track for racing here again on Monday.”



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Second inspection called at Newbury

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This afternoon’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup meeting at Newbury is subject to a second course inspection at 10am.

While Friday’s six-race card took place in its entirety, conditions worsened throughout the day and with further rain forecast, an initial precautionary check was announced for 8am.

The Berkshire circuit was found to be waterlogged in places early on Saturday morning, but officials are keen to give the fixture every chance and will look again later in the morning.

Saturday’s Navan card, featuring the Grade Three Flyingbolt Novice Chase and the Grade Two BoyleSports Webster Cup, will go ahead as scheduled after the course passed a a 7.30am inspection.

IHRB clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said: “I’m pleased to say that the track at Navan is fit for racing and has passed our inspection here this morning.

“The team here at Navan have done an outstanding job on the track and there is no longer any standing water. The ground remains heavy, and will be testing, but racing goes ahead.”

Leopardstown’s meeting on Sunday has come through an initial Saturday morning inspection, but a further check has been announced for 3pm this afternoon.

“The track at Leopardstown remains unfit for racing at present due to snow still lying in some areas,” said clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer.

“However, there has been improvement since yesterday and further thaw is expected today so will have a further inspection at 3pm this afternoon.”



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Newbury call precautionary check for Saturday card

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The prospect of further rain has prompted officials at Newbury to announce a precautionary inspection ahead of Saturday’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup meeting.

While Friday’s six-race card at the Berkshire track took place in its entirety, conditions worsened throughout the day and a further seven to 12 millimetres of rain is forecast from early Saturday morning into the afternoon.

A precautionary check will be held at 8am to ensure the racing surface remains safe enough for day two of the meeting to go ahead.

Saturday’s Navan card, due to feature the Grade Three Flyingbolt Novice Chase and the Grade Two BoyleSports Webster Cup, is also under threat, with an inspection called for 7.30am, while Sunday’s meeting at Leopardstown is subject to an 8am inspection on Saturday.

Lorcan Wyer, IHRB clerk of the course at Leopardstown said: “Following a further 13mm of precipitation which has fallen as snow since 8am this (Friday) morning, Leopardstown is currently unfit for racing as the track is covered in snow.

“Temperatures are currently rising and the snow is already starting to thaw and is turning to rain with bright spells and temperatures of seven degrees forecast for Saturday.

“With the current situation we feel it is prudent to call an 8am inspection to determine the prospects for the fixture scheduled to take place on Sunday.”



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American Mike toughs it out for Ten Up triumph

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American Mike came out on top after a good battle with Nick Rockett in the William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan.

Gordon Elliott’s gelding won on his seasonal debut at the track in November, making a successful start to his chasing career over a lesser trip of two miles and four furlongs.

His next outing was in the Grade One Faugheen Chase, where he came home fourth of five runners when 25 lengths behind Gaelic Warrior at Limerick.

Stepped up to three miles at Navan, the bay was a 7-2 chance under Jack Kennedy and travelled well throughout, jumping soundly on the whole and finding himself in the lead approaching the last.

From there, he seemed to dither slightly and it appeared that Willie Mullins’ Nick Rockett might pass him, but as the two locked horns approaching the line, it was American Mike who eventually pulled away to win by a length and a quarter.

As a result of the victory, he was clipped from 33-1 to 20-1 for the Turners Novices’ Chase with Betfair and from 25-1 to 12-1 for the same race with Coral.

“To be honest, he’s probably one of the horses that makes me scratch my head more than any other. He keeps disappointing me and then he comes back with a good one again,” said Elliott.

“He has obviously got a big engine on his day, when he’s right, but he’s not easy to train. I thought Jack gave him a great ride.

“I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going with him, he’s a horse that baffles me.

“We’ve just tipped away with him steady at home and haven’t over-worked him, as he was very fit going to Christmas but just didn’t get home.

“He’s in a few of the novice chases at Cheltenham and he could go for an Irish National. I don’t know what I’m going to do with him, to be honest.

“We’ll enjoy today, he’s won a graded race for Noel and Valerie (Moran, owners) at their local track, they are big supporters of Navan and the whole game.”

Runner-up Nick Rockett lost nothing in defeat and was trimmed to 5-1 from 6-1 for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham by Betfair.



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Hiddenvalley Lake lands smooth Boyne Hurdle success

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Hiddenvalley Lake made a successful return to the smaller obstacles in the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

Henry de Bromhead’s chestnut had a good reputation as a novice hurdler but did not quite deliver at the highest level when ninth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last March.

He started out over fences this time around and contested a beginners chase at this venue in December, where he fell three from home.

Subsequently switched back to hurdling, the seven-year-old always looked happy in the Grade Two event, as he travelled well under Darragh O’Keeffe in the absence of the suspended Rachael Blackmore.

Over the penultimate flight, he already looked the winner and from there he only strengthened his position to triumph by three and a quarter lengths as the 3-1 favourite.

Robbie Power, racing manager to owners Robour, said: “It was a good performance. The plan was obviously to go chasing with him this year and he fell here in a beginners chase before Christmas.

“It took him a little bit of time to recover after that, and it was getting a bit late in the season, so we thought we’d come back over hurdles and then probably go chasing next season.

“He’s done plenty of schooling back over hurdles and Henry’s done a lot of work with him. He’s a very good jumper of a fence and was just unfortunate the last day.

“He loves heavy ground and Darragh said the further he went, the better he jumped. When they stepped on the pace, he jumped better up the straight.

“We knew he’d stay well over that trip and that ground probably suited him as well. It’s great to get that and we’ll see where we go next.

“He stays three miles as well and we’ll have a look at all the big festivals coming up and see what the options are.

“He’s a fresh horse, he’s only had the two runs and that’s his first completed run this season.”

Charles Byrne’s Blazing Khal won the Boyne Hurdle last season before injury halted his campaign in the spring, and the bay returned to action to contest the same race again.

This time, he was pulled up two fences from home by rider Philip Byrnes and was reported to be showing some abnormalities in the post-race veterinary check.

“He’s not right, I think he has a fibrillating heart,” said Byrnes.

“We’ve had a bad rocky road with him, but we’ll see.”



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Brighterdaysahead enjoys Sunday stroll at Navan

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Brighterdaysahead looks set to head to Cheltenham with high hopes after winning the Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle at Navan with ease.

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old came into the race unbeaten in four starts, having taken two bumpers and a couple of hurdle contests – latterly the Grade Three Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal in November.

She was the 1-3 favourite when stepping up in trip at Navan for a Listed heat over two miles and five furlongs, a significant increase from her previous outings at two miles or two miles and a furlong.

The extra distance clearly did not hinder her at all, however, as she travelled and jumped with ease throughout and was left to stroll home to a 12-length success under Jack Kennedy.

Her odds have now been trimmed for the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, moving from 7-2 to 3-1 with Betfair and Coral.

“She’s a good mare, a proper mare. She is very, very good, I don’t say that about too many,” said Elliott.

“Jack said he couldn’t get a lead any longer on her and he said she wasn’t doing a stroke in front.

“She’ll come on from it too, as we missed a little bit of time with her – nothing serious, just niggly things.

“She’s got a pedigree to be nice and her future is in front of her. She looks like a chaser.

“I’d say at the moment she doesn’t want that far, she’s got a bit of boot for a big mare, but we had nothing else to run her in because I missed her last engagement and I didn’t want to go to England with her.”



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Helvic Dream swoops late to break hurdles duck

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Group One winner Helvic Dream got off the mark under the National Hunt code in the Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle.

Noel Meade’s seven-year-old started out over timber this season following a successful Flat career that saw him win the Tattersalls Gold Cup from Broome in 2021.

He was also a Group Three winner, with many placed runs in good quality events on the level on his CV as well, but his first two attempts over obstacles ended in defeat earlier in the term.

The gelding was an 11-2 chance under Sam Ewing and was towards the rear of the leading group of six horses when turning for home, having travelled in mid-division for much of the race.

He met the last wrong and landed in a heap but was able to regain his momentum in impressive style to pick off the horses ahead of him and prevail by half a length.

“That was great. The danger was getting home in the ground and then the last didn’t help,” said Meade.

“He actually stuck at it well in the ground. Finbar (Cahill, co-owner) was in Mexico and Tom (Hendron, co-owner) was in the Canaries and I said to them that I thought he’d win – and then I started to worry about the ground.

“I nearly would have preferred if it stayed raining and it was kind of loose.

“We’ll see what happens, it’s taken him a while to get the hang of it. First, we had to get him to settle, which took a long time.

“He’s jumping very well at home and he is very good. I’d say he will be better when he gets a little bit better ground, he does like it soft but a little bit better than that.”

Helvic Dream (right) winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup
Helvic Dream (right) winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Brian Lawless/PA)

Meade does not have any big hurdling plans for the gelding yet and aims to give him more experience in the discipline before a Flat campaign in the summer.

He said: “He’s still novicey for anything big, so I would have thought we’ll try and get another run into him somewhere and then tip along. He will go back on the Flat again this year.

“I said the other day that if he was in a Group race (on the Flat), I’d fancy him because he’s that well in himself.”

Cantico made light work of the William Hill Bet10Get5 On Irish Racing INH Flat Race for Willie Mullins and his son Patrick.

The five-year-old won his sole point to point start and was third on his bumper debut when contesting a Leopardstown event on Boxing Day.

Cantico and Patrick Mullins
Cantico and Patrick Mullins (Damien Eagers/PA)

He was the favourite on that occasion and headed the market again at Navan, starting at 4-11 and securing a six-length victory in the yellow and brown silks also worn by Galopin Des Champs.

“We were disappointed to get beaten at Christmas and I think he improved from it,” said Patrick Mullins.

“He could be a horse for nicer ground, he shows more gears at home than he has on the track and maybe that’s just the soft ground blunting his speed.

“We hope that he’s even better than the bare result there, even though he was very good.

“He was on his own there as well and he is a raw horse, he has been that way since we started, and I think he’ll improve for racing.”



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Sire Du Berlais back in Boyne action

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Sire Du Berlais returns to action in the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday with connections expecting him to improve for the run.

Now 12, the Gordon Elliott-trained veteran has been a brilliant servant to connections, winning and finishing second in the Stayers’ Hurdles as well as winning the Pertemps Final twice.

Last spring he arguably peaked, following up his Stayers’ Hurdle success in the Aintree Hurdle and he came within three-quarters of a lengths of winning at Punchestown as well.

Reappearing over a trip of two miles and five furlongs, short of his best, he is unlikely to be seen to best effect but a return to Cheltenham should be on the cards if all goes well.

“Gordon’s been looking at this race for him for a while now and then head on to Cheltenham,” said Frank Berry, owner JP McManus’ racing manager.

“He’s had a few little hiccups earlier in the season, but he’s back now in good form and we’re hoping to get a nice run into him on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t have thought we’d see him at his best this week, the trip’s a bit short, he doesn’t love heavy ground and he always improves for a run. That’s why he’s always gone well in the spring.”

Blazing Khal is another having his first run of the season
Blazing Khal is another having his first run of the season (Brian Lawless/PA)

Elliott also runs Delta Work and Galvin, who are both building towards the cross-country at Cheltenham and Beacon Edge, winner of the race in 2021 for Noel Meade.

Also reappearing is the Charles Byrnes-trained Blazing Khal, winner of this race 12 months ago but not sighted since finishing sixth behind Sire Du Berlais at Cheltenham.

The other Grade Two on the card sees Elliott’s American Mike and Favori De Champdou take on Willie Mullins’ pair of Minella Cocooner and Nick Rockett in the William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase.

Brighterdaysahead will be hoping to book her Cheltenham ticket for Elliott in the Listed Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle.



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