Champion Bumper second American Mike out to keep festival dream alive in Grade 3

Sunday: Navan

Gordon Elliott has described the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle (1.20) as "an ideal race" for potentially top-notch novice hurdler American Mike after the Champion Bumper second's recent winning debut over the smaller obstacles at Down Royal.

Already joint-favourite alongside Facile Vega at 5-1 with many firms for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the exciting prospect faces four useful rivals in Sunday's John Lynch Carpets & Flooring-sponsored prize.

Elliott has already won seven of the last 11 runnings of the 2m4f event, including with Death Duty, Samcro and Fury Road.

"He's in good form and this looks an ideal race to go for," Elliott said of the top-priced 7-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

American Mike (red cap in second) finishes closest to Facile Vega in last season's Champion BumperCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"We're looking forward to running him. I couldn't have knocked what he did at Down Royal at all. He was basically going around on his own for the early stages and went on to get the job done well."

One of American Mike's biggest challengers could come from within his own stable as Three Card Brag attempts to build on a promising third in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle last time.

Elliott said: "I think stepping up from two miles to two and a half miles should suit him. He seems to be going there in good nick too."

Unbeaten point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner Affordale Fury is no back number for Noel Meade, especially with the form of his latest Galway win franked by runner-up Monbeg Park winning impressively at Punchestown last weekend.

Meade said: "I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen. It's probably a tall ask when American Mike looked exceptional last season – he should be very hard to beat – but our lad has done everything right so far. We'll learn more about where we stand after this."

A high-quality undercard to the main action at Navan features a chasing debut for Elliott's Fil Dor, runner-up to Vauban in a trio of Grade 1 juvenile hurdles last season.

Fil Dor: clashes with Saint Roi in the 2m1f beginners' chaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Caldwell Construction's four-year-old receives a valuable 8lb age allowance from fellow chase debutant Saint Roi in the 2m1f Boardsmill Stud Irish EBF Beginners Chase (2.50).

"Fil Dor's schooling has gone well," said Elliott. "Obviously we're coming up against Saint Roi and it looks a good race, but he's getting all the allowances and is in very good form."

Elliott fires two bullets at the concluding Coolmore NH Sires In Swoop Irish EBF Mares Bumper (3.20). He runs impressive Cork bumper winner Mollys Mango and Goffs Land Rover Bumper second Miss Agust, who was bought for €235,000 by Gigginstown House Stud after chasing home Absolute Notions on her sole start.

Elliott said: "They're two nice types who we're looking forward to in a very good race. Miss Agusta looks smart but mightn't want bottomless ground, and Mollys Mango did it well last time at Cork."

Navan card and betting

Download the new Racing Post app here to read exclusive content from the biggest names. There are brilliant betting masterclasses from Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and David Jennings, Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys, plus much more. Download the new app now to access all of this unrivalled content.