Nick Dundee returned to action after a well-publicised 21 month injury lay-off at Navan on Saturday, and is now firmly in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup picture after making most under Philip Fenton for an impressive success in the Navan Racing To Please You Chase.
The eight-year-old gelding put in a fine round of jumping, and kept on strongly in the straight under gentle handling to beat stablemate Nicholls Cross by seven lengths. 'He's on his way, and had a good blow there,' said Edward O'Grady. He added: 'The steps get bigger from here, and we will have to consider the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown for him next.' The Supreme Leader gelding is now as low as 10/1 with Sean Graham for the Cheltenham showpiece but is 16/1 (from 25/1) with both Paddy Power and Cashmans.
Sallies Girl was given a 20/1 quote from Cashmans for the Stayers Hurdle after making all under Barry Geraghty in the Navan Racecourse & Golf Course Hurdle. The seven-year-old mare is renouned for her battling qualities, and she stayed on gamely from two out to beat Slaney Native by one and a half lengths.
'She didn't really take to fences last season,' said trainer Noel Meade, who is considering sending her over to Ascot next Saturday for the Long Walk Hurdle.
The Meade/Geraghty team were again on the mark with Harbour Pilot in the featured Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle. The Be My Native gelding led entering the straight, and kept on strongly over this two and a half mile trip to beat Trevino by ten lengths. 'He is getting stronger, and will be campaigned over at least two and a half miles,' said the local trainer, who believes he could develop into a Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle candidate.
Over The Furze got the better of a titanic tussle with Champagne Native in the opening Navan EBF Novice Chase, and John Berry will aim him next at the 'Neville' Novice Chase over three miles at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
