Navan preview

The fascinating battle for the flat jockeys title moves on to Navan on Wednesday, with both reigning champion Pat Smullen and great rival Johnny Murtagh holding good chances throughout the afternoon.

Smullen, who currently leads by one, has several fancied mounts for his boss Dermot Weld, the pick of which could be hat-trick seeker Blue Ridge Lane in the Navan Golf President Handicap. Murtagh’s best hope appears to lie with recent course and distance fourth Flying Cross in the two year-old maiden, though Aidan O’Brien fields four other runners and it is worth remembering that Fame And Glory was not the apparent first string when scoring in 2008.

Harry Rogers is enjoying a good end to the season, and the County Louth handler goes to war with two recent scorers in the first and final events of the day. Gandolfini, who obliged at Cork on Saturday, and the previous evening’s Dundalk winner Mid Mon Lady will both once again be ridden by young apprentice Darrell Byrne in their respective assignments.

Last time out winners Rightside and Footprint are just two to consider in a typically competitive autumn nursery at 3.05.

Categories: Horse racing