1.57 2m. 4f. 21 Declared. Navan H'cap H'dle (Grade B) of €40,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €24,000.00 2nd - €8,000.00 3rd - €4,000.00 4th - €2,000.00 5th - €1,200.00 6th - €800.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - AUGUSTA GOLD might prove best. Wonderfully consistent, she has progressed very well since being sent over fences and won a Grade 3 race on her 320 days reappearance run at Fairyhouse recently. She hasn't run over hurdles since April 2019 but that was when finishing second in a Cheltenham Listed handicap and having since shown good progression over fences, is now rated 21lbs lower over hurdles and has obvious and strong claims. Damalisque appears to be JP McManus' first-string of four runners and he has sound claims. A Listed Hurdle winner at Auteuil in 2017, he has showed useful handicap hurdle form at Naas in November and has trip and ground in his favour today. Column Of Fire is famous for his final flight fall, when challenging, for the Martin Pipe Hurdle in Cheltenham's finale last March, meaning his trainer Gordon Elliott lost the festival trainers' award to Willie Mullins, on count-back. Column Of Fire today reappears for the first time since but is surely best watched on reappearance. Wingin A Prayer won a lesser handicap at Punchestown in December but has claims from 8lbs higher. Wolf Prince, a 5yo, has finished second in a Grade 1 and two Grade 2s and has claims on his second handicap start and is now nicely experienced over hurdles. Hear No Evil won two British chases which has seen his chase mark rise to 8lbs above his hurdle mark but does faces a stiffer task, down in trip. Uisce Solas won well at Naas and while today's rider is able to claim 5lbs, has been raised 12lbs for that recent win. Hat-trick seeking Silver Sheen hasn't run for 378 days and while open to more progression, might prefer further.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwardsWeights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 11st 10lbs and the minimum weight shall not be less than 9st 12lbsPenalties - Winner of a hurdle race or hurdle races after calculation of the handicap shall carry any penalty or penalties which may be allotted by the Handicapper.