Navan Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 5m 9.8s

Edison Kent^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 120| D

25/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Winner at Killarney in May. 15/2 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (23.9f, good to soft) 20 days ago.

Form: 3-1062P

Eric Bloodaxe²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J P O'Brien

13/8

Lightly-raced winner unde Rules. Career best when winning 14-runner novice hurdle at Naas (19f, good to soft, 5/4) on hurdles bow 28 days ago, driven clear. Open to progress.

Form: 117/4-1

Ginto²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| CD

11/8

Promising sort. 30/100, won 12-runner novice hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) on hurdles bow 27 days ago, kept up to work. Should progress. Yard also saddles Mr Fred Rogers.

Form: 121-1

Mr Fred Rogers^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| D

4/1

Thrice-raced winner under Rules. 7/4, won 8-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (21.4f, good to soft) 20 days ago, going clear. Should have more to offer.

Form: 1-21

The Little Yank⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 125

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Creditable tenth of 18 in handicap hurdle (28/1) at Fairyhouse (16f, good) 6 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 402850

Forecasts

Ginto (11/8), Eric Bloodaxe (13/8), Mr Fred Rogers (4/1), The Little Yank (18/1), Edison Kent (25/1)

ERIC BLOODAXE looked good when making a winning start over hurdles at Naas and he is taken to see off the Gordon Elliott-trained duo Ginto and Mr Fred Rogers, both of whom are similarly promising and greatly respected. There's real substance to the selection's bumper form and he could turn out to be a well above-average novice this season.