Three horses to follow in Ireland on Saturday Navan provides the Irish action on Saturday with an eight-race National Hunt card, where the feature is the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase. The action kicks off with a maiden hurdle at 1.00 and a mares’ handicap chase closes out the card at 4.55. Our expert has taken a close look at the thoroughly competitive fixture and selected three strong fancies to follow. Selections 3.20 Navan - Champ Kiely 3.50 Navan - Grangeclare West 4.20 Naas - Shantreusse 3.20 Navan - Champ Kiely The Willie Mullins-trained Champ Kiely was a very smart novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago and even got the better of the top-class Irish Point in the Lawlor’s Of Naas. That was an excellent performance and he controlled the race from the front, never seeing another rival and going on to score by two-and-a-quarter-lengths. He then went on to finish third at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals before injury led to a significant lay-off. Champ Kiely did very well to win convincingly on his first start over fences at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, in what was his first run for 601 days, and it appears that all of his old ability still remains. Jumping noticeably well, Paul Townend wouldn’t have had concerns at any stage of the race and there was lots to like about the performance. Stablemates Ballyburn and Impaire Et Passe proved too strong at the Dublin Racing Festival, but this Grade 3 looks significantly easier and perhaps the drop in trip will suit, after he finished rather tired last time out. 3.50 Navan - Grangeclare West It would be hard not to be impressed by Grangeclare West’s second behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup when last seen and that form reads very well in the context of this race. He won the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase back in 2023 when he comfortably dispatched of the very useful Corbetts Cross. This son of Presenting struggled in his first couple of starts this season but got right back on track last time out. Splitting Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File is no mean feat and whilst the latter clearly wasn’t at his best, Grangeclare West has to possess significant ability to even get close. Perhaps a return to winning ways is on the agenda here. Paul Townend has sided with El Fabiolo but he comes with some risks attached, although it’s definitely interesting that he goes up to 2m4½f for the first time. If it turns into a test of stamina however, surely that would suit the strong stayer Grangeclare West. 4.20 Navan - Shantreusse Henry de Bromhead hasn’t had the best of seasons by his own exceptional standards thus far but Shantreusse looks well placed here. Yet to win over fences in 11 starts, that could be set to change sooner rather than later. De Bromhead’s nine-year-old was runner-up in this race last year, where it was run at Naas and only the very well handicapped Battle It Out got the better of him. Shantreusse finds himself on a 1lb lower mark this time around and that provides an excellent opportunity. Gordon Elliott’s Shannon Royale brings the best form to the table but there probably isn’t much room to manoeuvre with a mark of 140 and that’s why the Darragh O’Keefe-ridden Shantreusse could be the one to side with. BoyleSports Destination Cheltenham Offer
