Amaulino one to keep in mind at Navan On a weekend when their former good servant Shantou Flyer contests the Betfair Chase at Haydock, owner Sean O'Neill and trainer Colin Bowe could secure a Navan win with Amaulino. Only a four-year-old, the Saint Des Saints gelding goes in the Davis Civil Engineering Handicap Hurdle. Mark Walsh has been booked for the ride. Walsh has only partnered the youngster once before and, significantly, he put in his best Irish performance to date on that occasion when a two-and-three-quarter-length second behind Willie Mullins' Coquin Mans. The Mullins runner has since gone on to gain placings at graded level, although that Wexford race was over three miles and Amaulino's Navan assignment is a two-miler. On the positive side, stamina looks likely to be the main requirement at Proudstown Park, and the Bowe runner did win twice over shorter trips in France in 2016. Walsh is on one of four runners for owner JP McManus in the following Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. Course winner That's A Wrap is Walsh's choice, ahead of Kilfenora (Mark Enright), Minella Till Dawn (Keith Donoghue) and Sort It Out (Luke Dempsey). In truth, this is likely to chiefly concern Al Boum Photo (Willie Mullins and Paul Townend) and the Gigginstown pair Le Martalin and Tycoon Prince. Given their positions at the top of the weights, it's not surprising to see connections opt to claim off the McManus runners in the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle. Chris Meehan takes 5lb off Glenloe, and Donie McInerney is able to use the same allowance off Mon Lino. Given the €50,000 prize-fund, this was always going to be very competitive. At The Races presenter Gary O'Brien is part of the Core Partnership that owns Folsom Blue. He will be a popular choice for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy after a Clonmel win. The Listed Coolmore N.H. Sires Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race rounds off a good card. Many hold claims here, with Gavin Cromwell (Lady Ischia and Biddy The Boss), Gordon Elliott (Moonlight Escape and Best Of Dubai) and Jessica Harrington (Nicandra and The Princetonian) all double-handed.
