Burren Life.© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade B Navan Handicap Hurdle takes centre stage at Navan on Saturday where the two-and-a half-mile contest has attracted 10 hopefuls.
Willie Mullins is not represented in the race which, with a €50,000 prize fund, presents Gordon Elliott with a chance to extend his lead in this season's trainers' title battle, as he runs the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Burren Life
Burren Life has done all his racing in longer races in recent months, but did win his maiden hurdle at Roscommon over this trip in September and comes here in good form for his handicap debut, having filled third place in a smart Grade Two hurdle at Limerick over Christmas.
Elliott told Betfair: "Burren Life has been in top form this season, his latest start in a Grade Two at Limerick in testing conditions was a career-best for the six-year-old.
"He steps back in trip for this Grade B Hurdle and although he's at his best over three miles he has won over this trip before - as a real mud lover he will relish the ground so I'm expecting a big run from him dropping back in class."
Opposing Burren Life are Returntovendor a winner of a slightly lesser race over this trip at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, while Paul Nolan's useful ex-Flat performer Monotype finally got off the mark over hurdles at Limerick during Christmas and could now progress further.
Mullins does send six runners to the fixture, beginning with Antey in the www.navanracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle. The Rich Ricci-owned five-year-old made a fine start to his Irish career when third at Leopardstown over Christmas and might prove too strong for his 16 rivals.
Mullins takes the unusual step of running no less than four of his horses in the Race Displays Event Signage Beginners Chase but each has had setbacks along the way. Bonbon Au Miel struggled in his first chase start at Fairyhouse in December and now wears a first-time tongue-tie. Cadmium has been absent since his successful Irish bow at Limerick in December 2016, while Chateau Conti makes his chase debut following two disappointing December hurdle runs and fellow chase debutant Turcagua was pulled up on his last two hurdle outings last season.
Mullins introduces Castlebawn West in the concluding four-runner Athlumney Bumper and the presence of the five-year-old, who is the first foal from a winning hurdler, is very noteworthy.
