Top chasers line up for Fortria

Trainer Henry de Bromhead is likely to be double handed with Days Hotel and Special Tiara in Sunday's Grade 2 thetote.com Fortria Chase at Navan.

Days Hotel has been second in the last two renewals and his trainer revealed: "We found a problem at the end of last season, but we had that dealt with and he looks a better horse this season. He'll go for thetote.com Fortria at Navan and hopefully he'll run a big race for us again on Sunday."

Special Tiara has developed into a very good two miler and de Bromhead added: "He seems to be in very good form and he'll also run on Sunday. He has summered really well and he has filled out his frame and I am very happy with him."

"I always felt that he wanted good ground, but it was soft when he won the Celebration Chase at Sandown and he loved it. It was probably his best performance, so that opens up more options for him."

John 'Shark' Hanlon confirmed that Hidden Cyclone will also take his chance in thetote.com Fortria Chase and he stated: "He seems to be in super form. I'd love to find a chase for him over two miles and two furlongs, as I think that would be his best trip, but two or two and a half miles is fine for him. After Navan, he'll go to Punchestown for the Durkan over two and a half."

Owner Barry Connell, who enjoyed a treble at Naas last Sunday, revealed that Foxrock will kick-start his campaign at Navan in thetote.com Fortria Chase, saying: "The intention is to start him back at Navan on Sunday. Ideally he'd want to be going a bit further (than two miles) but it just fits into his programme. Sunday should be a good stepping stone for him and after Navan he'll go for the Durkan Chase. He is a big unfurnished horse and you'd like to think that he can improve again this season, but he will have to improve as the three mile chasers around at the moment are as good as we have seen for a long time. He needs to step up another gear, but he was only touched off in Leopardstown's Hennessy last season, so hopefully he won't disgrace himself in that company again this season."

Flemenstar could also make a welcome return to action in thetote.com Fortria Chase for his new trainer Tony Curran while Willie Mullins has pencilled in both Twinlight and Champagne Fever for Sunday's Grade 2 contest.

Carlingford Lough, who defeated Foxrock in the Hennessy Gold Cup last season, is due to make his seasonal reappearance in the Lismullen Hurdle and Frank Berry, Racing Manager to JP McManus, said: "He'll go to Navan on Sunday. John (Kiely) is happy with him and we are looking forward to getting him started at the weekend. After Sunday we'll look at the Durkan at Punchestown." Carlingford Lough could face stiff opposition from the Willie Mullins-trained pair Arctic Fire and four time Grade 1 winning novice, Nichols Canyon.

The exciting Long Dog and unbeaten Bachasson could represent Willie Mullins in The Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle where Tycoon Prince, fresh from his maiden win at Punchestown could represent the in-form Gordon Elliott.

Navan Racecourse Manager, Peter Killeen, said: "I'm absolutely delighted for Navan and our new feature sponsor Tote Ireland that our Fortria Chase has attracted such strong entries including the first two past the post last year, Twinlight and Days Hotel. With Carlingford Lough also posed to run in the Lismullen, the day has all the makings of an exceptional display for National Hunt fans."

Tote Ireland CEO, Tim Higgins, said: "The Fortria Chase has a long history of producing top-class two mile chasers and I am very happy to add this race to our growing collection of Tote Ireland race sponsorships. It is exciting to see last year's winner Twinlight entered along with stablemate Champagne Fever. It will also be interesting to see Queen Mother Champion Chase third, Special Tiara back on an Irish racecourse along with Shark Hanlon's Hidden Cyclone. Flemenstar was disappointing last season but is a potential superstar if he can return to his best for his new trainer. Foxrock also has some outstanding form over longer trips last season and we look set for a fascinating clash of styles in Sunday's thetote.com Fortria Chase."