Sport

Glen can complete his Quest

ORDINARY fare at Navan tomorrow, where the best they can do is to cobble together a five-runner veterans' handicap chase worth €16,000.

Glenquest was third in the Welsh Grand National at Christmas and claimed a success here over hurdles in November.

Successful again over flights at Down Royal in February, the veteran is by far and away the pick of the quintet with the best recent winning form. But he's still nicely rated over fences, with his mark of 128 still just 1lb above his Chepstow rating.

Ad Idem hasn't won over fences since scoring here at Navan in January 2011, while Like Your style was last successful at Punchestown in May 2012, No Secrets last

won at Wetherby in February 2013, while Letter Of Credits' latest success was a year ago at Thurles.

Glenquest really selects himself.

The Dunsany Handicap Chase is an even poorer contest, with the weights headed by 113-rated Mr Cosmopolitan, successful at Clonmel last month on his 13th run under rules.

He might make it number two here under Barry Cash but there's serious opposition in the shape of the first four home in a Down Royal handicap chase in January, where ex-pointer Keep On Track came home in front of Reality Dose, West Council and White Arm.

Of the quartet, White Arm might be the one to improve on the effort, as Keep On Track is 6lb higher this time.

In the earlier beginners' chase there's a good opportunity for Eoin Griffin's Azorian to get off the mark over fences.

He wouldn't be one of the Gigginstown high flyers but after a maiden hurdle success in Cork back in November 2013, he rose to become a 139-rated novice but didn't win again.

A third to Faugheen at Limerick saw him beaten 36 lengths overall but this is a modest little contest and Azorian and Bryan Cooper should justify a short price against Riverside City.

In the Garlow Cross Handicap Hurdle, 2012 Irish Grand National winner Lion Na Bearnai tunes up for another tilt at Aintree before going on to Fairyhouse.

He runs here off a mark a full 40lb below his chase rating.

He did alright at Fairyhouse a month ago when beaten a half-length by Los Amigos over fences and could go well here.

Sam Red and Crystal Pearl rather dominate the opening maiden hurdle, with the latter the pick.

Crystal Pearl has the 7lb fillies' allowance to help and her Leopardstown second to Golan Road was a fair effort.

Sam Red is a French import by the same sire as Un De Sceaux and his third behind Whiteout and Zafayan at Gowran was promising.

Tony Martin's Anibale Fly now carries the JP McManus colours and can improve on his unfancied run when runner-up to Jetstream Jack at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.

Wes Hardin and Llancillo Lord might make the market.