Tombstone looks like a dead cert

TOMBSTONE sets the standard in the Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novice Chase in Navan today, subject to an 8.00am inspection.

Gordon Elliott’s charge, which beat former Champion Hurdler Jezki in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park in February, has taken well to fences and should have the edge over his three rivals.

Beaten by subsequent Grade 3 winner Bamako Moriviere on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse, Tombstone got off the mark in this discipline when beating Thebarrowman by 16 lengths at Down Royal, when left clear by the last fence fall of Gilt Shadow

Tried in graded company for the first time over fences, Tombstone started 10/11 favourite for the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice

Chase at Punchestown and ran a solid race to be beaten a half-length by 150-rated Woodland Opera.

Over this slightly longer trip, Tombstone is preferred to Jett, a facile winner at Thurles recently.

The featured Foxrock Handicap Chase affords top-weight Acapella Bourgeois a good opportunity to make amends for his recent lapse when crashing out of the Troytown at this track, when sent off 7/4 favourite.

A dual winner at Navan, including a 32-length demolition of subsequent Grade 1 scorer Road To Respect in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase, Paul Townend’s mount is expected to outclass his rivals, which include 2015 winner Fine Rightly.