NAVAN & LIMERICK PREVIEW:WITH BARRY Geraghty on duty at Cheltenham, Robbie Power steps in for the ride on the former champion chaser Big Zeb who attempts a Fortria Chase hat-trick at Navan tomorrow.
Colm Murphy’s star can eclipse even the mighty Moscow Flyer, who landed the Grade Two event back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, by beating four opponents.
They include the former Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer, whose career appears to be on the down-slope, and the up-and-comer Noble Prince, who misses today’s Paddy Power Gold Cup for this.
Noble Prince gets 5lb from his illustrious rival, but that might not be enough against Big Zeb who has impressed hugely in this race for the last couple of seasons.
Tomorrow’s other Grade Two at Navan is the Lismullen Hurdle, with former Cheltenham festival winner Mikael d’Haguenet back over the smaller obstacles after an anti-climactic campaign over fences last season.
Big Zeb’s stable companion Voler La Vedette sets the benchmark here, and the ex-Alan King trained Karabak is also an intriguing starter. But Mikael d’Haguenet, at anywhere near his best, could be the one.
The in-form Noel Meade has two in the Grade Three For Auction Hurdle and Dylan Ross looks the clear pick of all these after a fine win at Fairyhouse. The former champion trainer will also be hoping for better from Formidableopponent in the bumper after this one’s defeat at odds of 4 to 7 at Punchestown last month.
Meade’s former Grade One winner Aitmatov goes over fences in the two-mile Beginners Chase, but there will be plenty of interest here in the appearance of Bog Warrior, who hasn’t been seen since impressing at Cork last March.
JP McManus’ colours will be carried for the first time by Whatwillwecallher at Limerick tomorrow when she lines up for the two-mile- and-five maiden hurdle.
The progressive six-year-old is a course winner and impressed at the Punchestown festival last spring when landing a valuable bumper. Testing conditions will be no trouble to her now.
Kirbybroguelantern rolled back the years at Cork last weekend when scoring and a 6lb penalty may not be enough to stop the veteran in the handicap hurdle.Jenari found Spring Heeled too good on his jumping debut at Galway, but compensation awaits in the opportunity maiden.
