Gordon Elliott's Troytown dozen sets punters a tricky challenge

Gordon Elliott takes centre stage at Navan, where he fields a 12-strong team in a bid to win the Troytown Chase for the fifth consecutive time.

The stable is heavily involved right from the start of the card, supplying likely favourite Defi Bleu in the 2m4f maiden hurdle. The complicating factor is the presence of three other runners in the same Gigginstown colours for rival stables. The Noel Meade-trained Momus could pose a significant threat.

The Peter Fahey-trained Gypsy Island, acquired by JP McManus after a strikingly emphatic bumper win at Ballinrobe in August, will be hard to beat in the mares' maiden hurdle.

Click here to see Sunday's card at Navan

Dinons, another from Elliott's stable, is unbeaten in five outings since falling on his hurdling debut and has to concede a minimum of 6lb to his rivals in the Grade 3 novice hurdle. He is not invulnerable, and again it is Meade who supplies a potential danger in the shape of Down Royal maiden winner First Approach.

Largely on the basis of Flat form, Share The Honour and Warnaq, locally trained by Tony Martin and Matthew Smith respectively, are suggested as the two against the field in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle fourth Paloma Blue is a banker in the beginners' chase, allowing for a good stab at the Troytown.

Weight of numbers favours Elliott, for whom Out Sam, Squouateur and Woods Well are particularly strong candidates. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Arkwrisht makes plenty of appeal on his Irish Grand National sixth, and Grand Partner, who sits near the bottom of the weights, is a more speculative inclusion.

SELECTIONS

12.00 Defi Bleu, Momus
12.30 Gypsy Island
1.00 Dinons, First Approach
1.30 Share The Honour, Warnaq
2.00 Paloma Blue
2.30 Out Sam, Squouateur, Woods Well, Arkwrisht, Grand Partner

2 x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 5 – 40 bets at €1, Total cost €40

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