Buntline v Mannon at Navan Ned Buntline aims to get off the mark over fences at the second attempt in the Navan Racecourse Membership Beginners Chase on Saturday where he will face Moscow Mannon. Noel Meade has never made a secret of the regard in which he holds the five-year-old and having run Jezki close in a bumper at Leopardstown on his debut, he made a winning reappearance in that sphere last November. Ned Buntline won once from three starts over hurdles, also placing behind Bright New Dawn and Mozoltov, and was not disgraced when third behind the exciting Ballycasey on his fencing debut at this track almost a month ago. Meade said: "He's in good form and we have been happy with him since he ran the last day. He's done more schooling and hopefully he's a bit fitter. We're expecting a good run. He jumped a bit left at Navan last time, but he's been good in his schooling since." Ned Buntline will face stiff oppositions in the 11-runner field, with Henry de Bromhead saddling the potentially smart Moscow Mannon as well as Worldor. Moscow Mannon makes his debut for the de Bromhead yard having finished fourth behind Champagne Fever in the 2012 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and showing up well over hurdles for Brian Hamilton. De Bromhead said: "He's been with us a couple of months and he jumps well. It's his first run for us and we're hoping for a good run. Worldor got a pretty nasty fall at Clonmel the last day but he seems fine and we'll see how he gets on." The Willie Mullins-trained Cadspeed also features.
