Absence of Mullins runners sets it up nicely for Elliott's entry at Navan

The opening maiden hurdle has been won by some good horses in recent years and Blackbow is another who fits that description.

A smart prospect in bumpers the season before last, he can make amends for a costly failure on his return at Naas.

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have dominated the Grade 2 novice hurdle for the last eight years. There is no Mullins runner this time, and it will be a surprise if Elliott's Andy Dufresne is beaten.

The Tara Handicap Hurdle presents a trickier challenge, and it could pay to take a chance with a couple of the lightly-weighted runners.

The recent form of Pat Fahy's team is a positive for Awayinthewest and Gavin Cromwell's four-year-old Alfa Mix is interesting in her first handicap.

Sunday's Navan card

Et Dite, in the Quevega colours for Mullins, Run Wild Fred for Gigginstown and Elliott, are obvious picks in the 2m4f maiden hurdle. Dinny Lacey also has a fighting chance for Cork trainer James Motherway.

Elliott's course bumper winner Diamond Turf and Tony Martin's Fairyhouse maiden hurdle winner La Tektor can both show improvement from a first run over fences to fight out the finish of the 2m4f rated novice chase.

Winner of three consecutive handicap hurdles in the spring, Shanroe Al C returned from a break to capitalise on an attractive chase mark at Tipperary in October.

He is now 16lb higher but could make it five in a row for trainer Karl Thornton if handling softer ground. Likely to be sharper for a run at Naas last month, Fairly Legal rates a danger.

Selections from Navan

11.30 Blackbow

12.00 Andy Dufresne

12.30 Awayinthewest, Alfa Mix

1.00 Dinny Lacey, Run Wild Fred, Et Dite

1.30 Diamond Turf, La Tektor

2.05 Fairly Legal, Shanroe Al C

24 bets at €1, total cost €24

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