December 18 / 14.30 Navan

14.30

Frozen

NavanRacecourse.ie Rated Novice Chase

  • Prize money: £10907.56
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 10 runners
RTV
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NavanRacecourse.ie Rated Novice Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 2/3-11 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good winner of a Wexford beginners in October before followin up in workmanlike fashion at Ayr last month; clearly a horse of some promise but has a very tough task to give weight all round here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Gold Cup Bailly

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Showed that he retained spark when fourth of five at Ayr (3m, soft) in January, when he made a bad mistake and jumped to the right at that left-handed track; goes right-handed today; however, tailed off in Grade 2 novice hurdle since and best form has come on soft/heavy going; a visor goes on.

20/1

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Gold Cup Bailly

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

dwelt start, in rear, not fluent 1st, struggling 4 out

20/1

Form: 0-66R1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Refused to race at Punchestown but was a reformed character a week later when grinding his way to victory on heavy ground in a handicap chase at Gowran; this is much tougher however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Dunboyne

10st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Knows what these big-field handicaps are all about and it was a cracking run to be fourth in the Irish National in April last time considering he carried an 8lb penalty for winning the Ulster National; that Fairyhouse defeat was his first for this yard; entitled to run well.

16/1

4th

24

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Dunboyne

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beaten a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early last month; maintained his revival with victory over Final Order in the 3m5f Ulster National; 8lb penalty makes this difficult.

25/1

4th

24

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Dunboyne

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beaten a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early last month; maintained his revival with victory over Final Order in the 3m5f Ulster National; 8lb penalty makes this difficult.

25/1

Form: BP2-13 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark over fences at Down Royal in May; no match for Marvel De Cerisy at Punchestown and hard to see him turning the tables on 4lb better terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:35 Leicester

Gallyhill

12st 4lb

J: Mr Tom Hutsby

T: F A Hutsby

Formerly useful but just one chase win (in 2022) from 11 attempts and he ended his time with Gordon Elliott on a quiet note; well-held last of four finishers in a point for new yard and his BHA mark likely flatters him.

20/1

7th

2

12th May 2023

Yielding

2m 3f 20y

19:55 Kilbeggan

Gallyhill

11st 10lb

J: Corey McGivern

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a Down Royal beginners' chase over this trip a year ago; has mostly run well in defeat since but never got involved at Naas last time; has to find more just 1lb lower.

12/1

4

18th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 42y

16:25 Tipperary

Gallyhill

11st 7lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Gordon Elliott

Lots of sound runs in defeat over fences since winning at Down Royal last year; doesn't seem to be improving but has his chance in an open race.

4/1

Form: 2-121F BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Impressive on his second start over fences in a Galway beginners in October; had not been asked a question when falling in a Grade 2 at Punchestown last month; step up in trip not an issue and should be involved with a clear round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(8)

20th May 2024

Soft

1m 4f 14y

19:50 Roscommon

Hallowed Star

9st 8lb

J: W J Lee

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Triple hurdle winner is a maiden on Flat but some good runs in 2022; well beaten when last in this sphere in 2023; others make more appeal.

25/1

4th

10

(8)

20th May 2024

Soft

1m 4f 14y

19:50 Roscommon

Hallowed Star

9st 8lb

J: W J Lee

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Triple hurdle winner is a maiden on Flat but some good runs in 2022; well beaten when last in this sphere in 2023; others make more appeal.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-16F1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Came back strongly from a last fence fall at Wexford to decisively win a Punchestown novice last month (Gallyhill third) despite racing keenly; looks a decent novice and has every chance of following up here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:20 Ascot

Marvel De Cerisy

11st 10lb

J: James Reveley

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Successful in Ireland and France; 2-2 since joining the George/Zetterholm stable, both wins in handicaps at Auteuil (2m3f/2m2f, heavy; hurdle/chase) in emphatic style; interesting contender in current form.

7/1

6th

4

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:20 Ascot

Marvel De Cerisy

11st 10lb

J: James Reveley

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Successful in Ireland and France; 2-2 since joining the George/Zetterholm stable, both wins in handicaps at Auteuil (2m3f/2m2f, heavy; hurdle/chase) in emphatic style; interesting contender in current form.

7/1

2nd

5

15th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Marvel De Cerisy

11st 7lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

His only win over fences (1-4) came on a right-handed track but he tends to jump left and got away with it in that novice chase; could upgrade his ninth place in the 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham but, even so, this company demands a good jolt of improvement on that form.

10/1

Form: 1180-4 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressive in handicap hurdles in the first half of last season; form tailed off after that and showed little on his chasing debut at Punchestown; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 66y

16:40 Punchestown

Aldo The Apache

11st 10lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

led but pestered

20/1

7th

2

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Aldo The Apache

11st 9lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

Three wins over hurdles in 2021; has failed to complete the course in five of his last six appearances; can be ruled out.

25/1

7th

2

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Aldo The Apache

11st 9lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

Three wins over hurdles in 2021; has failed to complete the course in five of his last six appearances; can be ruled out.

25/1

Form: 116-8F D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over hurdles; well beaten on his chase debut here and a faller at Punchestown; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 140y

16:28 Tramore

Carrig Sam

11st 7lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Eoin Griffin

Both wins over hurdles at Fairyhouse in early 2022; no joy since and 0-7 over fences; off since February 2025 and likely best watched on first start for new yard.

28/1

6th

2

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

3m 0f 183y

15:35 Punchestown

Carrig Sam

11st 11lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Peter Croke

Two 2m4f Fairyhouse wins for Arthur Moore three seasons ago; no sign of his best in three runs for this yard.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 311/63 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a novice hurdle on final start for Willie Mullins in 2020; tailed off in two runs over fences for this yard after lengthy absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:17 Naas

Francin

11st 0lb

J: Mr R A Berry

T: J A Berry

Useful sort for Willie Mullins but has been well-held when facing mostly stiff tasks for this yard; another one today and best passed over.

100/1

8

26th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:40 Naas

Francin

10st 7lb

J: Mr J P Berry

T: J A Berry

Two hurdle wins for Willie Mullins in 2020, obtaining a mark of 142; well beaten in six completed chase starts for his current stable, all in decent company; in touch when falling four out in a Grade 3 event here in January; should find things easier now in his first handicap.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 21322-

Last run: 233 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressive through last season and put up his best effort when second to El Fabiolo at Punchestown; potentially exciting recruit to chasing but could have been found an easier opportunity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd Mar 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

16:02 Leopardstown

Ha Dor

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Bumper, hurdles and chase winner (2m5f); soundly beaten on both runs this term after long absence in 2m1f handicaps; return to longer trip may suit but hard to be confident in.

20/1

11th

3

1st Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Ha Dor

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

midfield, lost position and towards rear after 4 out, detached from 2 out

25/1

11th

3

1st Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Ha Dor

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

midfield

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 2111P- C

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went up 33lb through a hat-trick of handicap hurdle wins; not seen since pulling up at Punchestown in April; a very interesting recruit to fences, probably best watched here but should be worth watching.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Macs Charm

12st 0lb

J: Mr M J Love

T: Ciaran Murphy

Progressive handicap hurdler for Colm Murphy in 2022 and won a handicap chase in 2023; best of three runs in points for Ciaran Murphy when second to the very useful Wrappedupinmay on his penultimate start.

14/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

Verdict

A very interesting novice event, very much added to by the presence on his chasing debut of good novice hurdles Ha D’Or. Hallowed Star could go close if coming back well from his fall last time, but the one to be on could well be MARVEL DE CERISY after an impressive display at Punchestown with the promise of more to come. [Justin O’Hanlon]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Marvel De Cerisy

The Irish Sun:

Ha D'or

POSTDATA:

Dunboyne

RP Ratings (IRE):

Marvel De Cerisy

TOPSPEED:

Marvel De Cerisy