Preview navan 18th Dec

< Death Duty and Invitation Only both feature prominently in the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets among the staying novice hurdlers and the pair clash in the intriguing Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle.

Death Duty scored in Grade 3 company here over course and distance last month, while Invitation Only had a bit in hand when winning a Gowran maiden hurdle on his debut over timber.

Both are exciting prospects, but it would be a mistake to concentrate solely on these two, as Baltazar D'Allier and Monalee both impressed when obliging on their hurdling debuts. The latter accounted for subsequent facile Punchestown winner Tarcagua and may be able to spring a minor surprise.

The other pattern race on the card, the Listed 'Future Champions' INH Flat race looks at the mercy of Sambro, a ready winner on his rules debut at Punchestown and expected to have too much class for Cork winner Good Thyne Tara < Gurteen a promising third on his chasing debut here last month, reverts to timber in the Grade B Tara Handicap Hurdle but will not have things all his own way with the in-form Scoir Mear in opposition.

The card opens at 12.15 with the Irish Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle which sees Joey Sasa second in a maiden on his hurdling debut over C & D last month lock horns with Punchestown bumper winner Cilaos Emery

A few powerful yards are dominating the National Hunt scene in Ireland but Call The Taxie gives Ellmarie Holden a sporting chance against the bigger guns in the John Lynch Maiden Hurdle, while Total Recall was not disgraced in a decent beginners' chase at Thurles latest and has claims in the Prancer and Dancer Rated Novice Chase.< Coolaghknock Glebe has had jumping issues over the bigger obstacles in the past but showed improved form over timber last season and is potentially well-handicapped in the Round O Pub & Restaurant Handicap Chase.

If he has ironed out those flaws then he could go well on his seasonal return.