Lantern hoping to light up Navan Davy Russell feels Oscar Lantern needs to raise his game to land the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle at Navan on Sunday. Just four runners go to post for the two-mile-seven-furlong contest, but it is nevertheless an interesting affair. The Charles Byrnes-trained Oscar Lantern opened his account over hurdles at the first time of asking at Thurles in January, while Gordon Elliott's point-to-point and bumper scorer General Principle made a successful reappearance at this track a fortnight ago. The presence of British raider Mystical Knight adds further intrigue, with Rebecca Curtis' inmate having chased home Open Eagle at Warwick on his hurdling bow. Russell said in his Betway blog: "I've only got the one ride this weekend which is Oscar Lantern for Charles Byrnes in a novice hurdle at Navan on Sunday. "He only faces three other rivals, but will definitely need to improve. The trip on testing ground will suit and it's a big plus that he'll definitely stay." The most valuable event of the afternoon is the 50,000 euro Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Handicap Chase Final. Curtis sends Imagine The Chat across the water and he is one of three runners for leading owner JP McManus along with the Tom Mullins-trained Oscar Knight and White Arm from Tony Martin's stable. The one to beat, however, is Elliott's Altiepix, who bolted up at Clonmel last month and is ridden by leading conditional Jack Kennedy. Elsewhere on the card, Elliott and Kennedy combine with Tempo Mac in the Kilberry Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old has won three of his last four starts and a bold bid is anticipated on his first start since scoring at Perth in September. The concluding bumper sees Invitation Only make his debut for Willie Mullins.
