Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Sunday; Sword Of Destiny in the 2.55 and Fickle Fortune in the 3.25 both at Navan. Compare odds and bet.
It really is hoped that Navan passes an 8am inspection this morning, as not only is it the only possible meeting either side of the Irish Sea, but there are some extremely exciting youngsters on show.
Classy bumper performer Don Cossack is set to make his hurdles debut in the maiden hurdle in which Aran Concerto and Mikael D’Haguenet were successful in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old is bound to be short and, though he will be very tough to beat, he faces a couple of fair sorts in Sizing Gold and Ally Cascade, so this is by no means a penalty kick.
Davy Russell will be hoping Don Cossack forms part of a big day for himself in the Gigginstown House Stud silks and he has chosen to ride Bonisland in the Grade ‘Monksfield’ Novice Hurdle, rather than Mouse Morris’s Rule The World.
I’m guessing it must have been a tough decision and the latter, who ought to relish the drop in trip, looked a bit of each-way value at 7/1 with Paddy Power last night. But, this looks really competitive and is a race to watch.
Another Russell must be looking forward to is Sword Of Destiny (2:55) in the 2m1f beginners’ chase and, though the trip is on the short side for Noel Meade’s grey, he is taken to get off the mark at the second time of asking over fences.
Two from two over hurdles last winter, the son of Shantou bumped in to a good one in Buckers Bridge on debut last month and he would have made a successful debut but for landing awkwardly at the last.
He will relish the testing ground and the stiff track here will make it more of a stamina test. That will suit him more than County Hurdle winner Alderwood, who ended last season on a roll, and the useful Darwins Fox, who chased home Oscars Well on debut.
Meade can complete a double in the Listed bumper with Fickle Fortune (3:25) who created a deep impression when winning on debut at Down Royal in February.
She failed to cope with atrocious conditions at the Punchestown Festival, which is a slight worry today (but I doubt she’d be risked if it became as bad as that evening), and she was way too keen for her own good on her recent reappearance.
The Heron Island filly still looks capable of making up in to a high-class performer and can get back on track here under Nina Carberry.
Sunday’s selections:
2:55 Navan Sword Of Destiny
3:25 Navan Fickle Fortune
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Last Year’s Book Results – Leading Prospects:
- SPRINTER SACRE – Unbeaten – winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- SIMONSIG – Winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- CINDERS AND ASHES – 10/1 winner of Supreme Novices Hurdle
- BOBS WORTH – 9/2 winner of the RSA Chase
- MENORAH & SILVINIACO CONTI – Both Aintree Winners
- SIR DES CHAMPS – Unbeaten inc 3/1 Jewson Cheltenham Winner
- FINGAL BAY – Won 4 times inc Challow Hurdle
- RAYA STAR – 10/3 winner at Wetherby, 12/1 Ladbroke Hurdle winner, 15/2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner
- AMBION WOOD – 14/1 EBF Final Sandown winner
- CHAMPION COURT – 6/1 G2 Dipper Novices Chase winner
- PALACE JESTER – 14/1 winner at FFos Las
- SWINCOMBE FLAME – Hat-trick winner inc Lanzarote Hurdle at 9/2
- TEAFOR THREE – 5/1 NH Cheltenham Chase winner (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)
