Trainer Noel Meade and rider Kieran Gaule can each give the other a helping hand on the way to Navan doubles this afternoon when they team up with Eton Gale in a fascinating Navan EBF Novice Chase, which also draws into competition such as the fine point-to-pointer, Solvang, the Naas winner, Rathgibbon, and the former top hurdler, Balawhar.
Rathgibbon and Eton Gale have already served up a cracking chase finish at Naas, where Rathgibbon got home by half a length, and on the day was not flattered by the margin.
However, it was the first run for the loser since the spring and Eton Gale went on to deliver a smashing round of jumping to win from Liver Bird at Cork. Balawhar, who still belongs to Michael Tabor, did not produce his true running at Fairyhouse when a remote fourth to Private Peace.
Earlier Gaule may win the Sherry Maiden on Tory Lad, while Meade has a favourite's chance when saddling Rodrigo in the Carol Four-Year-Old Hurdle.
Tory Lad ran well up front for a long way at Fairyhouse before weakening into fifth place behind the ex-French Walk On Mix, while Rodrigo surprisingly ousted Unarmed from favouritism at Cork but had to settle for fourth place behind Paddy Mullins's potentially smart young horse.
Unarmed also appears in the form line which prompts me to go nap on Glens Music in the Yule Log Mares Flat Race. There was a big tip for her on her debut at Naas and some fancy early morning prices were snapped up.
She appeared to come very late but still put daylight between herself and Another Gabhra. Next time she was one of three recent winners to take one another on at Leopardstown, and while the geldings, Unarmed and Follow The Leader, pushed her down to third place, she was a strong challenger all the way.
Demi O'Byrne, who selects good horses for other people, has picked up a good one for himself in the shape of Fountain Page, beaten once only in three runs so far.
He tries his hand against the handicappers for the first time in the Christmas Pudding Handicap Hurdle. He looked a nice staying novice when beating Stormy Miss at Clonmel, and and at this trip the danger should be Regency Rake, who up to last weekend was rated only 3lb inferior to his stablemate, Master Jamie.
A good display by Fountain Page would single out the chance of Stormy Miss solving one the handicap riddle in the Sunday's Jackpot at Thurles, where the pool has been sweetened by a carry over of almost £8,000.
Tony Mullins, who trains Stormy Miss, should win the previous race, the Munster INH Stallions Owners Maiden Hurdle, with The Bongo Man, who won his bumper at the Punchestown Festival in the spring.
Tony's big brother Willie could start the Jackpot rolling with Palette, the mount of David Casey. She had consistent form last season and was beaten a bare half length by Arctic Weather over hurdles at Fairyhouse.
Amother good prospect for Willie is Slaney Sauce, who unseated Ruby Walsh on the way down at Fairyhouse on Sunday and did not participate.
Reverting to the Jackpot, the final leg is the first of two bumpers on the card and those who row in with Michael Hourigan's Tigger's Venture should be in with a shout.
