Paul Townend previews his rides at Navan on Saturday
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Ladbrokes ambassador assesses his chances in four races
I have four rides in Navan on Saturday, starting with Deploy The Getaway. He’s a tricky horse to ride but Sean O’Keefe got on very well with him at Gowran the last day.
He had a good run finishing second and he renews rivalry with Harry Alonzo, who was only one place behind him. Hopefully he can come on for the run over hurdles. If he can improve any little bit, it should put him bang in there.
The Gordon Elliot horse Glenclass is another one of note. He was very impressive in a Fairyhouse bumper and cost plenty of money so he will take a bit of beating as well. Hopefully if our guy can behave himself and improve any little bit from his first run of the season he should go very close.
Belle Metal is two from two in bumpers, and I am looking forward to riding her. It’s her first run over hurdles but her schooling has been good and she seems a straight-forward ride.
Ha D’or is another of Willie Mullins’ in the race. He had a very good first run last year at Leopardstown but was then extremely disappointing on his second run. He’s hard on himself, he wears a hood, so he would have to learn to race more professionally.
Gordon Elliot has Au Fleuron who has had a run over hurdles and cost a lot money after winning a point-to-point. He was only fourth on his first run but wasn’t beaten that far. I’d imagine he will improve plenty for it.
It’ll be an interesting race and there will be plenty of winners to come out of it.
Minella Cocooner steps up in trip from a good run at Cork. He wasn’t beaten all that far and I think he has improved plenty for it.
He was very impressive in a Kilbeggan bumper, we know he gets the trip and I hope he can go one better than he did at Cork.
Ciel De Neige is my final ride. He’s a horse I didn’t think I would be riding until this morning. I found out Mark Walsh was injured so I am really looking forward to the ride.
He’s one from one over fences. He took to them really well at Thurles. He got his head in front over hurdles at Sligo earlier in the year and then he was second. Returning to chasing has lit him back up again.
I think Busselton is the horse to beat though. We’ve to give him five pounds but ours is a classy individual and we are definitely going to see the best of him over fences.
Ride of the Day
My best ride on Saturday is Belle Metal. I think she could turn out to be the best one and is open to most improvement.
Paul
