Cougar Ridge bids to confirm the promise of his impressive debut when he tackles the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race (5.25) at Navan on Friday evening.
There was a good word around for David Wachman's Johannesburg colt prior to his Leopardstown introduction and he didn't disappoint, coming clear in the final stages to score with any amount in hand.
Tennessee Wildcat and Katchy Lady have already come up slightly short in better company so his chief threat could come in the shape of Aidan O'Brien's newcomer George Vancouver, who changed hands for $450,000 as a foal.
The Follow Navan On Facebook Handicap shares top billing in terms of prize-money, and sees last year's winner Patrickswell returning on the back of some dismal performances.
Arctic, Luisant and Footprint all bring much better recent form to the table, as does Battleroftheboyne, who hit the crossbar at the Curragh last weekend.
Encrypted Message filled the runner-up berth on his first appearance on a racecourse and natural progression would make him the one to beat in the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden, although Edge Of Sanity and King's Warrant should both have a say in the outcome as well.
Beau Michael has enjoyed a new lease of life since reverting to the Flat but, on National Hunt ratings anyway, he may struggle to concede weight to the Tony Martin-trained Redera in the Live Music After Racing Apprentice Handicap.
Amour Fou hasn't been seen since scoring at this venue in October but has fewer miles on the clock than the majority of her Navan Supporters Handicap opponents.
Forgiving Light's comeback second at Listowel will have given connections plenty of optimism for the campaign ahead and he tries to go one better in the www.navangolfclub.ie Handicap, while the Peter O'Brien & Sons Landscaping Claiming Race represents a massive drop in class for Strait Of Zanzibar.
