Racecards
15:25 Navan (IRE)
Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Heavy (Soft to Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €27,500 added
- Winner: €16,500
- 2nd: €5,500
- 3rd: €2,751
- 4th: €1,375
- Form 41
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J J Murphy
- Jockey P Townend
disputed lead early, prominent in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, led after 7th, soon headed, not fluent 6 out, on terms 4 out, under pressure from 3 out and narrowly headed, no extra in 3rd before last and slight mistake
- Form 5-24210
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J W Kennedy
disputed lead early, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed briefly at stages, under pressure straight and headway, left in narrow lead from 2 out, soon joined, led and stayed on best run-in
- Form 41-F21
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
disputed lead early, soon led, jumped slightly right at times, headed after 7th, soon led again, joined 4 out, narrow leader from next, fell 2 out
- Form 324232
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer S Curling
- Jockey P T Enright
waited with, a little keen, in touch towards rear, slight mistakes 5 out and next, closed up straight, pushed along after 3 out, left close up from 2 out, soon on terms, wandered slightly before last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
- Form 41-5323
- Age 10
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Miss E Lalor
- Jockey Miss E A Lalor
waited with, in touch towards rear and raced on outer, not fluent 8th, soon detached in last and no danger
Verdict
Brazos, a once-useful stayer on the Flat, looked fortunate to keep the race at Navan but would have found the 2m4f too short and this is more his trip. Minella Escape, a winning point-to-pointer, stayed on strongly to score over 2m5f at Tramore though the form hasn't worked out. Ragnar Lodbrok had little chance in a Naas Grade 1 last time but earlier placed efforts at Listed and Grade 3 level put him in the frame for this and Jack Kennedy chooses him over Thurles novice winner Frontal Assault. ANGELS DAWN never looked likely to get to Torygraph over 2m7f at Thurles after an early mistake but stayed on strongly and can make full use of her allowance and land this. Shuil Luas is a hunter chaser and unlikely to have the pace to go with these.
Formwatch
Brazos (USA) 11-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead after 4 out, joined next, led again before last, strongly pressed from last, edged right under hands and heels, bumped rival 50 yards out, just held on, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan beating Folcano (12-0) by ns, 19 ran.
Frontal Assault (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) Soon disputed, led after 2nd, headed 5th, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened, 13th of 22, dist behind Maze Runner (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Minella Escape (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Chased leader early, disputed after 2nd, led before 5th, ridden to assert after 2 out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Gorki D'airy (11-3) by 7l, 7 ran.
Angels Dawn (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Ran 4th, slow 1st, slight mistake 2nd and slow next, still close up when not fluent 2 out, pushed along and went 3rd approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Torygraph (11-7) at Thurles 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Shuil Luas (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear early, mid-division before halfway, ridden in moderate 5th after 3 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on run-in, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Templebredin (12-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.
Ragnar Lodbrok (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, pushed along from 4 out, ridden and trailing 3 out, no impression, left remote 5th at last, 5th of 7, dist behind Bob Olinger (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.