NAVAN PREVIEW:NAVAN HOSTS the home action today and Willie Mullins can continue his recent good run of form with a double.
Golden Silver ran second to Casey Jones at Punchestown before finding Grade One company too hot in the Drinmore when over 30 lengths behind Trafford Lad and Forpadydeplasterer. That represents some of the best Irish novice form so far this winter so the Beginners Chase today looks a good opportunity for the Archie O'Leary-owned runner.
Mullins is always a man to follow in bumpers and the champion trainer will be hopeful that Earth Mother is able to concede weight all-round in the last. Earth Mother was two and a half lengths too good for Boro Bee in a decent bumper at Wexford last time and is worth following again.
Shouldertoshoulder will be a popular fancy in the second maiden hurdle when he makes his first start in almost a year.
His Leopardstown run behind Taravada reads well in today's context but Kimberlite King could be a value alternative.
Colm Murphy's horse disappointed in his only jumps start last Christmas but Murphy's string were not fully firing at that time. Kimberlite King was a smart performer in bumpers and the stable is right in form now.
The former Cheltenham bumper hero Hairy Molly has won over the course and distance of today's handicap chase but has to concede almost a stone to Giolla de which might prove beyond him.
Paul Carberry and Noel Meade are always to be respected around here and Quempton can spark off a double in the opener with Rocheford Bridge likely to relish the testing conditions when dropping back to two miles for the handicap hurdle.
