Key connections to follow this weekend in Ireland - 'Badly in need of the run' We’ve got an exciting weekend of action in store for us in Ireland this weekend and it kicks off with a competitive fixture at Navan on Saturday. Thurles keeps us entertained on Sunday and they also have two Grade 2 races to look forward to. Here we take a closer look at an owner, trainer and jockey who could be worth keeping an eye on over the course of the weekend. Darragh O’Keeffe leads the way in the jockeys’ title but Jack Kennedy is hot on his heels, so a winner or two would go down very well. Owner - Gigginstown Gigginstown’s familiar maroon silks are set to be represented by several live candidates at Navan on Saturday, so multiple winners could well be on the cards. He Can’t Dance is set to run in the 2m6f maiden hurdle and it’s about time he got off the mark. He managed to win a bumper here back in December 2024 and was half-a-length away from winning over a similar trip at Thurles last time out. Patter Merchant and Ballybow are up against Slade Steel in the beginners’ chase and the latter has been a little disappointing over fences so far. If he can reproduce his hurdling form however, the seven-year-old would be in with a solid shout. The Irish Avatar is set to make his first start under rules in the concluding bumper and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding will have plenty of supporters. Low Kick also represents Gigginstown in the same race and he finished third on his debut under rules. American Jukebox runs at Thurles on Sunday and he was a very impressive winner last time out. A follow up victory seems very likely with that in mind. Trainer - Gordon Elliott It could be a good weekend for Gordon Elliott and he’s been enjoying a very good season so far. Lazare de Star runs in the opener at Navan and there was plenty to like about his maiden hurdle success over a longer trip at Leopardstown last time out. Holly Brook and He Can’t Dance aren’t without chances in the next, whilst the in-form Son Of Anarchy shouldn’t be dismissed either. Jack Kennedy rides Wingmen in the beginners’ chase and it should be a good tussle between him and Slade Steel. Harry Swan is on board Low Kick in the bumper and that horse is making his first start for Elliott, after joining from Jack Teal. The yard have several chances on Sunday, including American Jukebox and Sept Etoiles in the second race at Thurles. Jockey - Darragh O’Keeffe Slade Steel was very unlucky to be brought down at Punchestown last time out and brings some excellent hurdles form to the table. He won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham a couple of seasons ago and should be winning over fences before long. The lightly raced Killaney King has finished second in four of his nine starts under rules and can get off the mark here. A good third over course and distance last time out, he remains unexposed in handicaps and there could well be more to come. It’s a surprise that Forty Coats is still a maiden over hurdles but he ran well to finish fourth in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. He looked badly in need of the run when seventh on seasonal debut and should improve plenty for it.
