Ravenhill to lead formidable team as Elliott plots another Troytown success

Ravenhill and Davy Russell are set to head Gordon Elliott's team in the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase on Sunday as the trainer bids to win the race for the fifth time in six years.

Elliott is responsible for 11 of the 31 entries in Navan's richest race of the season at the five-day forfeit stage and the trainer thinks Ravenhill, a 14-1 shot with the sponsor, is his best chance of securing another success in the three-mile handicap chase.

"Ravenhill ticks a lot of boxes and I'd say he's my number one, but I'll run loads in the race. Navan is my local track and it's my lucky track too, so I'll run as many as I can," Elliott said.

The trainer added: "Ravenhill has some really good form and Davy Russell will ride him, so I'd say he is our best chance. It will only be his fourth run in a handicap chase. He won at Limerick in July, was fifth in the Galway Plate and then ran a cracker to finish second in the Kerry National at Listowel. He's improving all the time and he has a lovely weight, so I'd be hopeful of a big run from him."

Portmore Lough is Ladbrokes' 7-1 favourite after winning his last two starts at Galway, with Chris's Dream, Discorama and Tower Bridge next in the market at 10-1.

Elliott has sent out 101 winners at Navan during his training career and he has 29 entries in total at the track on Sunday, including three in the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle.

Among the trio is the unbeaten and hugely exciting Envoi Allen, although Elliott has the option of waiting for the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse the following Sunday.

Abacadabras and Fury Road are Elliott's other possibles for the Navan race and no decision has been made yet as to which of the three will line up.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, also on the Navan card, has a remarkable roll of honour that includes Flemenstar (2011), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015), Min (2016) and Al Boum Photo (2017).

Willie Mullins has three entered – Breaken, Cash Back and Royal Rendezvous – while Noel Meade could run the promising Brace Yourself, who missed most of last season through injury.

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