Duca De Thaix out for Flyingbolt honours The Coral Flyingbolt Novice Chase is the feature race at Navan this afternoon. Four runners have been declared for Grade Three contest, two of which are trained by Gordon Elliott. Elliott won the two-mile-one race for the first time in 2017 with Ball D’Arc and has solid claims this year with Duca De Thaix in the same Gigginstown House Stud ownership. Duca De Thaix filled fourth place in a Grade One contest when last seen at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and might be able to turn form with the Jessica Harrington-trained Jetz. The pair met over this course and distance in November, when Jetz beat Duca De Thaix into second place with Jetz subsequently being beaten in four runs, albeit he was highly tried in three Grade One races. Duca De Thaix, on the other hand, won Grade B and Grade A chases on his subsequent starts and is now rated 3lb higher than Jetz and might have an edge today. Also lining up is Elliott’s 125-rated Mrs Lovett, who probably needs to improve to win. The John Nicholson-trained Benruben was a bumper winner at Leopardstown over Christmas, but also needs to improve from his two chase starts to date, albeit he did run a good second in a beginners’ chase at Thurles last month. Elliott’s great rival Willie Mullins has solid claims in the opening two maiden hurdles, with Fenta Des Obeaux in the Coral Smart Money Series Maiden Hurdle, half an hour before Great White Shark might make it third time lucky over timber in the Coral Double Your Winnings (Mares) Maiden Hurdle. The 11-year-old Concordin might be able to win the Coral Bet 5 Get 20 Veterans Handicap Chase for trainer Robert Tyner and owner J.P. McManus, having gone up 7lb for winning a similar chase when last seen in January.
