12:30 Navan

Sunday 16 December 2018

All12:0012:3013:0013:3014:0514:3515:10

Navan Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 4m 56.6s

Choungaya^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 133

10/1

Game effort from the front when close third behind Easy Game and Magnium last time. Taking a step forward each run so further improvement not ruled out though is needed.

Form: 3-23133

Defi Bleu²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| CD

3/1

Showed his liking for this longer trip when getting the better of four others in the Giggingstown colours in a maiden hurdle over C&D last month. Looks to have plenty of improvement to come and commands plenty of respect in this stronger grade.

Form: 2/18-21

Getareason⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

10/1

Won his first two over hurdles but had his limitations exposed in better company three runs since including when tried over 3m last time.

Form: 321344

Magnium²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 134

4/1

Improved for the step up to this trip when splitting Easy Game and Choungaya over C&D in a tight finish last month. Should be more to come and one for the short list.

Form: 7-122

Monbeg Worldwide³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

10/1

Successfully conceded 11lb to a useful mare over this trip at Fairyhouse last time showing a good attitude. That was a step forward from his previous win and unlikely his improvement has finished yet.

Form: 1/23-511

Rhinestone^t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

5/1

Good Bumper form last season though didn't land a blow when fnacied in the Cheltenham Bumper. Had to work hard when getting off the mark by a short head on hurdling debut and the form has taken a couple of knocks since.

Form: 2129-1

Easy Game²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| CD

4/1

Back on track after a couple of defeats when getting up late to beat two of today's rivals over C&D last month. Did well on that occasion as he had been hampered and found himself further back than that pair and likely there is more to come.

Form: 4-11231

Satoshi²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott

20/1

Awarded race over 2m6f on hurdles debut at Punchestown and found the drop down to 2m against him when third at Gowran Park subsequently. Found to be coughing post race and more to come at this more suitable trip.

Form: 9-13

Western Victory⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Bowe

25/1

Sprang a surprise when getting off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Galway over 2m but that was no fluke as four subsequent winners were behind and as a Point-to-point winner this trip should hold no fears.

Form: 3/1442-1

Forecasts

Defi Bleu (3/1), Easy Game (4/1), Magnium (4/1), Rhinestone (5/1), Getareason (10/1), Choungaya (10/1), Monbeg Worldwide (10/1), Satoshi (20/1), Western Victory (25/1)

Interesting contest with just about all the runners open to further improvement. A narrow vote goes to EASY GAME to confirm the placings with Magnium and Choungaya from the Grade 3 over C&D last month. Defi Bleu and Monbeg Worldwide are others to consider in what should prove to be an informative contest.