PHIL YER BOOTS
Elliott’s A Toi to land Webster Chase
FRESH from a memorable Cheltenham, trainer Gordon Elliott could again be the man to follow at Navan this afternoon.
The in-form trainer’s championship pacesetter looks to have good prospects of a treble which could see A Toi Phil secure the Grade 2 Webster Chase.
The talented novice chaser has already won at this level this season as well as landing the valuable Leopardstown Chase two months ago.
He has since been found wanting at the highest level, but should be much more at home here.
The seven-year-old does have to give weight to his rivals, but he still looks the safest option in the field.
Elliott supplies two of the four runners in the opener, with his Baltazar D’allier looking hard to oppose.
This six-year-old made a bright start to his jumping career when landing a maiden hurdle at Naas in November.
He then stepped up to Grade 1 level for his next outing and acquitted himself well in chasing home Messire Des Obeaux in Newbury’s Challow Hurdle.
In the maiden hurdle, the Elliotttrained Chirico Vallis is put forward, but he is a risky proposition.
The five-year-old has by far the best form in the field, but it has to be a major concern that he ran out early on in a maiden hurdle at Gowran.
The day’s most valuable event is the novice handicap chase, where Oscar Knight can improve on last year’s second-place finish.
He is 27lb higher this time around, but all the evidence would suggest he is now a much improved horse.
Already this season, Oscar Knight has won a valuable handicap chase at this track.
Furthermore he comes into this off a career-best effort at Christmas where he finished third to Noble Endeavor in the Paddy Power Chase.
In the two-mile handicap hurdle, Concordin is a solid option at a track he seems to like.
The two-mile handicap chase can go to Ontopoftheworld, while the bumper looks an interesting heat with the vote going to Jetz, who showed up very well at Naas on his debut.