2019 Navan Membership Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 3m 56.3s

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Selected odds by:

Galvin¹⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

13/8

Impressive wins in a pair of bumpers last summer and kept his unbeaten record on only start over hurdles at Perth in August. Had to work quite hard that day to land the odds but capable of improvement in this stronger race.

Form: 111

Minella Times²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M P Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 123| D

3/1

Has been found out in handicaps on two occasions since Kilbeggan win in May. Will be happier back in this company but may lack the scope of some of his rivals.

Form: 4-14728

Press Conference²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N P Madden| T: Mrs J Harrington| D

9/2

Well backed 3/1 shot when off the mark under rules in good style on soft ground at Limerick last month. That represented a big step forward and in all probability there is more to come.

Form: 3/127-71

Smoking Gun²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 120| D

3/1

Overcame a mistake at the last to follow up Clonmel win at Limerick last month. This requires more but clearly progressive and commands plenty of respect on his hat-trick bid.

Form: 449-11

Whoshotthesheriff¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

7/1

Ability in bumpers and did the job nicely on hurdles debut at Ayr earlier in the month when beating a previous winner with a well regarded sort back in third. Jumped well there and shaped like a fair prospect so very much one to take seriously.

Form: 30-231

Forecasts

Galvin (13/8), Minella Times (3/1), Smoking Gun (3/1), Press Conference (9/2), Whoshotthesheriff (7/1)

A tightly knit opener with all bar one of the runners coming here off a win. Narrow preference is for SMOKING GUN but Whoshotthesheriff will be a big threat on his Ayr win while Press Conference was fairly impressive last time and can't be underestimated.