JADE CAN MAKE IT ONE ELL OF A DAY Apple’s backed to sparkle on a cracking Navan card
IRISH RACING
On a day which features a number of quality contests, Apple’s Jade will be a popular choice to make it back to back wins in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle.
The multiple Grade 1-winning mare was in excellent form through the first half of last season when she won twice at the top level after lifting this prize.
However, she wasn’t at her best when beaten by Benie Des Dieux at both Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Even so, Apple’s Jade ran with credit at both of those meetings and she wasn’t all that far off her best.
She is likely to need this run and Identity Thief is a dangerous rival, but she might still be able to get her campaign off to a successful start.
Elliott might also make it three victories in a row in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle, where he sends out Felix Desjy.
This gelding was one of the best bumper horses of last season, but just raced too keenly in top-class events at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
It was encouraging to see him settle much better on his hurdling debut at Galway, where he took advantage of an easy opportunity.
This race looks much tougher, but this gelding appeals as one that could be able to hold his own in quality novice hurdles this winter.
In the Grade 2 Fortria Chase, a confident vote goes to the Enda Bolgertrained Ballyoisin, who is chasing a fourth victory in succession.
This seven-year-old comes here off a victory in a €100,000 handicap hurdle at Listowel, but his recent chase form makes for good reading too.
He dominated useful conditions events at Killarney and Punchestown on his two previous starts and he sets a high standard for his rivals. The trip and the ground look ideal for Ballyoisin and he looks capable of seeing off Doctor Phoenix.
In the second of the handicap hurdles, Wonder Laish stands out following an excellent run in the November Handicap at Naas last Sunday.
He was noted putting in some excellent late work to reach the frame. It is worth taking the chance that he can translate that form to hurdling.
An interesting beginners chase could fall to the Willie Mullins-trained Dolciano Dici, who showed promise on his only start last season.
He didn’t get to run again after that fourth in a Naas Grade 3 last January and he is sure to improve for this run, but he still gets the vote.
Elsewhere, Serious Ego showed promise on his handicap hurdle debut at Down Royal last week. He makes plenty of appeal in the opener.