RACING:Patrick Mullins will hope the weather doesn't prevent him having another landmark moment at Navan today with the Co Meath track hosting an 8am inspection.
The champion jockey equalled Billy Parkinson’s 1915 record of 72 winners in a calendar year for an amateur rider at Navan last Sunday but his hopes of breaking it during the week were dashed when Thursday’s Downpatrick fixture fell foul of the weather.
This afternoon’s action is dependant on the amount of overnight rain that falls with Navan manager Darren Lawlor keeping his fingers crossed for a best-case scenario.
“The worst-case forecast is for us to get up 18mms of rain which would put us under pressure,” he said yesterday.
“If we get the lower end of 7-8 mms, then we should be alright.”
No one will want the green-light more than Mullins who has three booked rides, including the impressive Thurles winner Touch The Eden who tackles just three opponents in the two-mile novice hurdle.
Touch The Eden rewarded the Mullins team’s patience when making an impressive winning debut in Ireland and heavy ground conditions will be no trouble to the ex-French runner.
Art Of Logistics is one of two four-year-olds in the race and on the face of it his narrow maiden hurdle success at Down Royal was not as impressive as Touch The Eden’s.
However, he looked to run very green on that occasion and there should be significant improvement on that.
Mullins is on Bally Longford in the bumper but he will be keeping an eye on Quickpick Vic in the race having partnered Tony Martin’s runner on his debut.
Quickpick Vic didn’t help himself on that occasion, running far too free in the race won by Owen Mc, and if Robbie McNamara can get him to settle better this time, debut losses can be recouped.
Sizing Gold will be banker material for many in the opening maiden hurdle. Henry De Bromhead’s five-year-old had the unenviable task of chasing home Don Cossack on his last start here and shaped as if a step up to two and a half miles will suit.
With the chase track already out of commission, one of the handicap hurdles has been divided to make a six-race card and Mollys Captain looks an interesting contender for the second leg now that she is upped in trip.
Paul Carberry’s mount has been running consistently at the minimum distance, including when third to Speed Dial at Wexford, so Philip Dempsey’s call in upping the ex-pointer could be significant.
