Desertmore Steam and Brian O'Connell in full flow© Photo Healy Racing
Icy Reply will be expected to continue her forward momentum in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle at Navan.
Dessie Hughes's grey has got her act together since being presented with a test of stamina over obstacles, and lost little in defeat when denied a hat-trick by Desertmore Stream at the Galway Festival.
She gets weight from Pumped Up Kicks and Railway Zira, so may have most to fear from fellow four-year-old Urtheoneiwant, who broke her duck with a clear-cut Ballinrobe triumph on her most recent appearance.
Hughes has further strong claims courtesy of Rodger Roo in the Racing Again Saturday 27th September Handicap Hurdle.
Having come up short at Ballybrit, the mare bounced back to form when upped to two and a half miles at Roscommon, and the extra quarter-mile on offer here might enable her to go one better.
Toretto also attempts to improve on a last-start second and now has a visor to assist him in the Follow Navan On Facebook Handicap Hurdle, but he comes up against a Gordon Elliott duo consisting of recent Tramore victor Swantykay and Goal, who was second at the same venue on his latest jumps outing and has Barry Geraghty on top.
Elliott and Geraghty team up with Brand Ambassador in the opening Navan Welcomes Owners Today Maiden Hurdle at 2.35, but he has been sidelined for two years, whereas On Impulse has only been off the scene since February, when he shaped with a lot of encouragement in landing a Thurles bumper.
Razia accounted for Oscar Vespasian by over four lengths at Cork last weekend but there should be less between them on the revised terms in the Kells Handicap Hurdle.
Smart Flat performer Tandem could only manage third on his jumping debut but the experience won't be lost on him and plenty will keep the faith ahead of the navanracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.
