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Frank Hickey’s Sunday picks at Navan
12:45 – Flame Bearer
13:20 – Three Card Brag
13:55 – Bob Olinger
14:30 – Ferny Hollow
15:05 – Changing the Rules
15:40 – Found a Fifty
Navan 12:45 – Flame Bearer
Flame Bearer has joined Willie Mullins from Pat Doyle after running second to State Man in the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He’s one two bumpers, was beaten in his first two hurdle starts before winning three on the bounce including a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse before chasing State Man home. All the chat seems to be that this is the Mullins’ ‘Arkle Chase horse for the Cheltenham Festival so a bold show is anticipated.
Navan 13:20 – Three Card Brag
Gordon Elliott’s Three Card Brag could be the answer to a competitive Grade 3 Novice Hurdle. He won his bumper at Wexford on debut and beating a Mullins hot-pot Dancing City at 1/5f. He was then impressive when landing his maiden hurdle at Galway a fortnight ago, seeing off Sandor Clegane who had some solid bumper form.
Of the others, Plains Indian carries a 7lb penalty which won’t make life easy, Imagine was no more than workmanlike in winning on hurdles debut at Wexford, winning by a head. The biggest threat may come from Hercule Du Seuil who looked very useful when winning at Tipperary last month.
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Navan 13:55 – Bob Olinger
This looks a fascinating Grade 2 contest where Bob Olinger is taken to get his career back on track. The dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter and Aintree Hurdle winner Sire Du Berlais have to concede 9lbs to Bob Olinger while Zanahiyr has a 5lb penalty to carry having won a Grade 1 hurdle at Down Royal last season.
This trip is ideal and getting weight off a few of the principals here should make Henry de Bromhead’s runners hard to beat – if back to his best. I’m still not convinced he’s a Stayers’ Hurdle candidate though.
Navan 14:30 – Ferny Hollow
I’d be disappointed if Ferny Hollow couldn’t win what looks an excellent Fortria Chase. While we have to take his fitness on trust, he is top class if a little fragile. Willie Mullins’ charge was last seen winning the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase at Leopardstown on St Stephens’ Day where he gave Riviere D’etel 13lbs and a length and a half beating. He has to concede 10lb to her again on Sunday but that’s within his compass if tuned up for this test.
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Navan 15:05 – Changing the Rules
The two-mile handicap hurdle looks very competitive but Jessica Harrington’s Changing The Rules could be interesting on his handicap debut – especially if the market speaks in his favour. He showed some promise on all three starts in maiden hurdles last season.
He was fourth at Fairyhouse in January, well behind the likes of Carrig Sam, Glen Myllin and Hubrisko, before a staying on fifth to Bring On The Night at Naas. He wasn’t beaten that far at Fairyhouse again when hampered by a faller two out in a race won by Whatsavailable with Perceval Legallois and Level Neverending just ahead of him in April. Definitely has potential off this opening mark of 116 and Mark Walsh rides for JP McManus.
Navan 15:40 – Found A Fifty
Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty is a bit of a hype horse and we’ve seen plenty of ante-post cash for him for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next March. He won his point-to-point at Boulta for Mark Fahey and was subsequently bought by Gordon Elliott.
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