Navan tomorrow hosts an all hurdles card after ground conditions forced the stewards to delete the two scheduled chase races yesterday.
To make a six-race fixture, the Mullacurry Maiden Hurdle has been divided but possibly the most interesting race is the Navan Novice Hurdle where Cliffs Of Dooneen and Unarmed clash.
These talented young horses had rather different experiences on their last racecourse outings. At Leopardstown over Christmas, you couldn't have got a price on Unarmed going to the last flight as he appeared to be cantering all over the very smart His Song. On touching down however, the picture changed dramatically as His Song powered away but it did prove that Unarmed is well above average.
At Naas last Saturday, Cliffs Of Dooneen got into a real dog fight with Scarvagh and it needed all of Richard Dunwoody's power to get him up on the line. Cliffs Of Dooneen jumped particularly well on that occasion and he is getting better with every run. Paul Carberry takes the ride this time and Cliffs Of Dooneen is just preferred.
Carberry and Meade could also take the other novice hurdle with the smart bumper performer Walt but for the future a lot of interest will centre on French Ballerina in the second division of the maiden.
Backed as if defeat was out of the question on her debut at Leopardstown, French Ballerina wound up third to His Song and Unarmed which in itself was not a bad debut at all. Still this Listed winner on the flat is expected to be capable of much more in her new career and it's hard to oppose French Ballerina in this company.
Amberleigh House has been mixing it in good company, running second to Penny Native at Leopardstown and third to Walk On Mix at Fairyhouse, and will hardly get a better opportunity to break his duck in the first division.
Scotia Nostra won a maiden impressively on his debut at Thurles last month and goes into handicap company for the featured Proudstown Handicap Hurdle. The move is significant and should be followed, while in the bumper To Your Honour should be capable of beating Old Trafford Queen.
