Ten Times Better© Photo Healy Racing
The Ladbrokes Troytown Chase and Douvan s chase debut take centre stage at Navan on Sunday - but the remainder of the card is also very appealing, with trainer Pat Fahy hoping for Grade Two glory with Ten Times Better in the 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle.
Ten Times Better had reasonable form but failed to win in her initial five bumper starts, but having obliged at Clonmel on her final bumper run then bolted up on her hurdling debut at Clonmel in October.
Ruby Walsh is again in the saddle and Fahy believes that is a "major plus".
He said: "These Grade Twos are not easily won, but there's a lot to gain by running her as she could get black type for finishing in the first three.
"She couldn't have done it any easier at Clonmel and is entitled to run here. My previous good mares were all different types; Dun Belle was a chaser and couldn't win over hurdles, whereas Mariah Rollins was just very good.
"It's too early to say, but she (Ten Times Better) could be very good.
"There aren't many mares' novices for her and it was either come here or run in a conditions hurdle at Clonmel against handicappers. She's running against novices here and she also jumps very well so there are a lot of positives to running.
"We're happy with her at present and when Ruby steps down off her after the race, we will have an idea where we go for the rest of the season."
Ten Times Better is the only mare in the field and takes on a trio of JP McManus-owned horses, headed by Falcon Crest while Gigginstown's pair of runners are led by the Bryan Cooper-partnered Cogryhill
By Tom Weekes
