Paul Townend: Milo Lises a nice recruit
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Ladbrokes ambassador and leading jockey Paul Townend spoke to us about the chances of his five rides at Navan on Saturday.
He has had one run for us where he was second to Predators Gold, who franked the form first time over hurdles.
Hopefully he is a nice recruit to hurdling. Gordon Elliott has Jigoro who was second at Cork last time and has the benefit of a run lately.
Tom Cooper is a bumper winner and there was a lot of talk after he won at Galway. So, it is a hot race but I think my horse is a nice recruit.
He was a bumper winner at Ballinrobe on good ground. This looks a competitive race. Caldwell Potter has some fancy form in the book.
It will be a step up from what Dr Eggman has done but he had a very good run at Punchestown back in April. The ground is an unknown but we aren’t concerned about it and think he will go on it.
He drops back in trip here from 2m7f at Thurles in a maiden hurdle. This is a very good race with Stellar Story bringing very good form to the table.
His bumper form with Ile Atlantique looks very good and he probably sets the standard. I like the way our lad got down and won after being very keen at Thurles, so I don’t think the drop back in trip will be a concern for him.
Better Days Ahead won the other day and turns out very quickly, Slade Steel was a good winner at Naas and even though there are only five runners here, it is a race full of promise. It will be hard to win.
The cheek pieces are back on. He ran in the Pertemps race at Cheltenham the last day and was beaten 10 lengths and we were disappointed with him over there but we will see.
He has a lovely racing weight which will help him on testing ground. He is on an all-time high mark so maybe he has reached his peak but we will do our best for a big pot like this and I think he can run into a place.
He was a maiden hurdle winner at the track last year over two-and-a-half. To be honest, he’s probably been a little bit disappointing.
He’s only had three runs for us and was a short-priced favourite when he was beaten at Limerick last Christmas. He won then in Navan but was beaten a long way then at Cheltenham.
I hope he can fulfill his promise over fences. His schooling has been good and we are hoping for the best. There are no soft touches in this race and we will find out where we are going afterwards.
