BRIGHT NEW DAWN reverts to the smaller obstacles in the two-mile rated hurdle at Navan.
The dual Grade Two winner, who moved to Gordon Elliott from the Sandra Hughes team at the beginning of this campaign, is rated 148 over fences, but is eligible for this contest thanks to his 8lb lower figure in this sphere.
He was an expensive failure in the Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase last time, trailing in behind Nearly Nama’d, but it will be disappointing if he cannot boost his confidence against the likes of Noble Innand Sizing Tennessee.
Noble Inn was totally out of his depth at Ascot before Christmas when way down the field in the £150,000 Ladbroke behind Jolly’s Cracked It, but this is at the other end of the scale and well within his comfort zone.
Elliott gives Victory Mill his next step up the ladder in the Trim Rated Novice Hurdle. Successful between the flags, the six-year-old followed up at the first attempt under Rules at Fairyhouse just before Christmas and appeals as a decent staying prospect.
He might have been a bit fortunate at Fairyhouse and certainly benefitted from the last flight departure of Au Quart De Tour, but that faller went in at Gowran on Thursday and the form doesn’t look too shabby now. His opposition is headed by the hat-trick-seeking Last Goodbye, with 2011 Irish Grand National hero Organisedconfusion thrown in there for good measure.
It could be a very profitable day for Elliott, who should also have high hopes for De Plotting Shed in the opening maiden hurdle and Fascino Rustico in the beginners’ chase.
De Plotting Shed came up short when favourite for a Listed bumper at Ascot but better is expected as he goes jumping, with Leopardstown bumper winner Gurteen capable of putting it up to him in this 18-runner maiden.
Fascino Rustico was a smart novice hurdler for Dan Skelton last term and is fitted with a hood for his Irish fencing debut. Their stablemate Woodford Island has emerged with credit from a couple of tricky handicaps and has his sights lowered for the two-mile-seven-furlong maiden hurdle. He’ll start pretty short but it’s hard to oppose him.
NEVILLE RING
12.50pm: De Plotting Shed
1.20pm: Bright New Dawn
1.55pm: Victory Mill (Nap)
2.30pm: Woodford Island
3.05pm: Hogan’s Alley (Dbl)
3.40pm: Fascino Rustico
4.15pm: Montana Slim
NEXT BEST
12.50pm: Gurteen
1.20pm: Noble Inn
1.55pm: Last Goodbye
2.30pm: Born Noble
3.05pm: Smoking Big Cigars
3.40pm: Arctic Skipper
4.15pm: White Arm
