Sean Flanagan© Photo Healy Racing
Jump racing returns to Navan on Saturday and the seven-race card has attracted over 100 runners, although the featured Attheraces Hurdle has drawn a field of just five.
The two-mile-six-furlong contest does feature some useful types and Sean Flanagan is bidding to get off to a flying start on his first official day as stable jockey to trainer Noel Meade, riding the hat-trick seeking Red Giant for his new boss.
The pair have combined well in recent months and Red Giant won his maiden hurdle under Flanagan before following up in a winners' race at Kilbeggan.
Opposing Red Giant are maiden hurdle winners De Plotting Shed Everyday Everyhour and Glendine River while top-weight Moylisha Tim was a Grade Three victor at Cork last November.
The opening Troytown Bar Maiden Hurdle has attracted a full field of 30 runners and the Robbie McNamara-trained Rogue Agent might be able to figure at the business end, having gained experience in two previous hurdle efforts.
McNamara is also represented by top-weight Call Vinnie in the 28-runner Brogan Group Handicap Hurdle where he tackles the JP McManus-owned Teachers Pet, a winner at Downpatrick last time out for father-son combination of trainer Philip Dempsey and jockey Luke.
The Emerald Facility Services Beginners Chase features two horses rated in the 120s with Phil's Magic (122) and Hard To Call (125) both likely to play leading parts, while the James Motherway trained-Na Trachtalai Abu might be able to win the Meath Farm Machinery Handicap Chase, having shown good recent form.
