Rachael and A Plus Tard are the star attraction at Navan on Sunday© Photo Healy Racing
Navan this Sunday looks set to be a fantastic day racing. It's a galloping track with a stiff finish, horses have to be tough to win around here.
My first ride is on Grangeclare Native (12.00) for Gordon Elliott. He was going well before falling at Gowran the last day. Before that, he was impressive when winning a point-to point and a bumper. Hopefully he can put the Gowran run behind him and keep progressing. He’s seems a nice horse and hopefully we will be there at the business end.
Onto the Grade 3 where I'm on Annexation (12.30) for Henry. I was impressed with him when he won his maiden at Navan. This is a step up in class, but we think he could develop into a lovely horse. I rode him the last day with plenty of cover as he can be quite keen. So, if he can settle like he did then, I think he can run a nice race here.
On to the Lismullen Hurdle where I’ll be riding French Dynamite (1.00) for Mouse Morris. He hasn’t been seen on the racecourse since running at Thurles in February. It looks like he might have a bit to do on ratings, however, he got the better of The Bosses Oscar on his second last start. Although this looks a competitive race Mouse’s horses are going well at the moment and I think this horse has a lot more to offer so we’re hoping he can give a good account of himself in this one.
Then onto the Troytown where I am with Plan of Attack (1.35). He was a very good 4th to Milan Native at Cheltenham, however, things didn’t work out for him at Listowel where he never looked to be travelling. If we draw a line through that and he can recapture the form he showed at Cheltenham we shouldn’t be too far away.
Next up I am on A Plus Tard (2.10) in the grade 2 Fortria Chase. I’m really looking forward to partnering him again for obvious reasons. He seems well at home and this looks like the perfect race to get him started again.
My final ride is on Embittered (2.45) for Joseph O’Brien in the Beginners’ Chase. This is his first run over fences and comes into this having run very well behind Saint Roi in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham when he finished 3rd. He ran in 2 two point-to-points which should stand to him. I’m really looking forward to the ride and seeing what he can do over fences.
Read more from Rachael on her Betvictor blog
