Slyguff Rory looks best

Just five runners line up for today's featured novice chase at Navan, where O'Muircheartaigh could be a favourite worth taking…

Just five runners line up for today's featured novice chase at Navan, where O'Muircheartaigh could be a favourite worth taking on with Slyguff Rory.

O'Muircheartaigh is clearly a horse of considerable talent and after breaking his duck over fences at Punchestown he looked set for a good season at the top level.

Efforts behind Chelsea Harbour and Mister Top Notch on his last two starts have not been bad by any means but he still doesn't totally convince when push comes to shove.

Mattock Ranger has a 133 rating but ran deplorably on his last start while Romek also has to concede 6lb to Slyguff Rory, who hasn't won in four chases to date but was only just denied at Fairyhouse in December.

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Great things were also expected of Ballytrim over fences but he has been a bitter disappointment, and his jumping alone makes one think Walkin Aisy could have his measure in the Beginners Chase.

Timmy Murphy visits Clonmel tomorrow and while the 113-rated Monoceros may win for him in the opener, Murphy could also find his Leopardstown winner Farmer Brown having the form reversed with Old Flame in the conditions hurdle.

Paul Nolan's horse has over seven lengths to find but is 8lb better off and is usually better right-handed, and the Nolan team are finally starting to show something like their real form.

Clarkey endured a real stamina slog behind Bridge Run at Gowran in December so the three miles of the second maiden hurdle should not be a problem for Christy Roche's horse.

Colm Murphy looks to have found an ideal opportunity for Dusty Doolan to break his duck over fences in the Beginners Chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column