DE THAIX IS READY TO DUC IT OUT
Dual winner to battle with Jetz
DUCA DE THAIX, a dual-handicap winner, will be fancied to reverse November’s course and distance form with Jetz in the Grade 3 Coral Flyingbolt Novice Chase, feature of today’s action in Navan.
Jetz prevailed by a half-length when the pair clashed here in November in a beginners’ event before campaigning in Grade 1 company and was hampered on the home-turn before finishing a tired fourth to Le Bague Au Roi in the Grade 1 Flogas at Leopardstown last time.
Today, Duca De Thaix meets Jetz on 3lb better terms than in their previous clash. And he has progressed significantly since, breaking his duck over fences off 133, in a Grade B handicap chase at Fairyhouse in early December.
Raised 10lb for that win, he stepped-up again to land the valuable Dan Moore on the same track in January, holding stablecompanion Cubomania.
Last time, Duca De Thaix was tried in Grade 1 company in the Arkle at Leopardstown, when he was unable to make an impression and, held when hampered at the last, finished last of four finishers behind Le Richebourg.
A fascinating head-to-head is in store today. And the Gordon Elliotttrained Duca De Thaix is marginally preferred to the Harrington, inset, hope.
Elliott has enjoyed tremendous success at Navan in recent seasons and his charges should be noted throughout today’s card, including Lisa O’neill’s mount MULTIFACTORIAL in the bumper.
This fellow dictated the pace before being headed late by his well-fancied and potentially smart stable-companion over this course and distance two weeks ago.
This Stowaway gelding is probably no star. But he looks progressive, keeps galloping and, having finished 11 lengths clear of the third last time, might be capable of opening his account here for Elliott, Gigginstown and Lisa.
An eye-catcher when fourth to Advantage Point on his recent debut in a maiden hurdle at Naas (subsequent winner All For Joy finished second), YOU CAN CALL ME AL, trained for J P Mcmanus by Edward O’grady, looks an obvious threat, along with the more experienced BATTLE OF MIDWAY.