Nomadic can prove Noel Meade's decision to skip a clash with Istabraq to be correct in today's Lismullen Hurdle at a Navan fixture which looks set to be dominated by just three yards.
After easily winning on his reappearance at Down Royal, Nomadic had looked one of the more potent challengers to the Champion Hurdler in the race scheduled for Tipperary last weekend. The switch of that race has allowed Meade a choice for this weekend and he looks to have made the right one.
Nomadic was one of last season's best juveniles and after being gelded in the summer he proved he is a progressive sort when absolutely dancing home in the north two weeks ago.
As a four-year-old, today's two and a half mile conditions event on heavy ground will be no easy task but Nomadic looks up to it.
Commanche Court will probably be a better horse for this race while the other four-year-old Darapour looks held. Maybe Ballygowan Beauty will be the biggest danger of all but Nomadic is preferred.
Meade can also score on his local track with Say Wonderful, third to Goldanzig here, in the opening juvenile maiden hurdle and set up the possibility of several doubles up.
Arthur Moore introduces Feathered Leader to fences in the first division of the Beginners Chase and on reputation alone it will be a surprise if this horse is beaten. On performance, too, Feathered Leader is hard to knock having won a Grade One novice hurdle at Fairyhouse last December. He has been absent since then but if anywhere near full fitness, Feathered Leader has the capability to win this easily.
Moore can also take the four-runner Fortria Handicap Chase with Jeffell. A gallant winner at Aintree and Ascot last season, the big grey will have no trouble handling the heavy going which is not something that can be safely said about Delphi Lodge.
That old favourite Merry Gale has 7lb taken off his back by Shane McGovern's claim which will help but Jeffell looks the safest proposition.
Francis Flood, however, could trump them all numerically. The exciting novice To Your Honour has been also declared for Punchestown tomorrow but that was only a precaution in case the weather hit Navan.
The For Auction Novice Hurdle is To Your Honour's target and Flood's comment yesterday that "the horse is very well in himself and he should have no problems with the ground" only encourages the view that this could be one bet to really get stuck into.
The Grange Con trainer should also pick up the bumper with Unforgotten Star.
