Gordon Elliott chases Troytown five-timer but which one of his 13 will be lucky?

2.30 Navan
Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase (Grade B) | 3m | 4yo+ | ATR

Gordon Elliott is the name and winning Troytowns is his game. He has won the last four in a row and his drive for five could have 13 passengers on the bus if current third reserve Presenting Julio sneaks into the line-up.

If the betting is to be believed Out Sam is the number one hope from Cullentra House. Having had spells with Nicky Henderson and Warren Greatrex, the son of Multiplex was struggling to live up to his early promise until he ended a 32-month drought in the Cork National this month.

Elliott said: "Out Sam had long been threatening to win a big handicap and he got his act together to win the Cork National. He has gone up 8lb for that but hopefully now that he has his confidence back he can continue to progress. He's been in great form since Cork."

Any horse with PPP next to his name is usually crossed off with confidence but not Dounikos. He was a Grade 2-winning novice chaser whose close fourth to Monalee in the Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February is arguably the best piece of form on offer.

"Dounikos lost his way in the second half of last season but he's a good horse on his day and he always goes well fresh. He's not without a chance," Elliott said.

Punters have had their fingers burnt time and time again by Squouateur and Elliott admitted a fluent round of jumping is paramount for the grey, who has been sent off at 5-1 or shorter at the last three Cheltenham Festivals.

Sunday's Navan card

"Squouateur has a chance if his jumping holds up. He definitely has the ability. We all know that," said the trainer.

Woods Well is an improving seven-year-old who dug deep to score at Galway last month and he's one of Elliott's big hopes.

"I do think Woods Well has a chance. He's improving nicely and I liked what I saw at Galway," Elliott said.

Paul Townend is a notable jockey booking for Rogue Angel, while Keith Donoghue will be aboard last season's brave Irish Grand National winner General Principle.

Our Father should never be underestimated, Space Cadet represents last year's winning owner Chris Jones and Ned Stark would be interesting if coming back to the form he showed a few years ago for Alan King. Elliott's huge team is completed by Timiyan, Poormans Hill and Swingbridge.

Elliott said: "Rogue Angel has been really consistent in all the Nationals we've had so far this season. He chased home Out Sam at Cork and should go well again, although he has gone up 4lb for that. General Principle is an Irish Grand National winner and you can never write him off but he's 5lb higher now so that won't make life easy for him and he's been off since Fairyhouse.

"Our Father is a horse who might not be badly handicapped if coming back to his best form. The ground was just too quick for him at Limerick. Space Cadet is a good horse when things fall into place and Ned Stark is one who could land a big handicap some day. Poormans Hill will be keeping going when others have cried enough. Timiyan needs to put some poor runs behind him."

Should we avoid the favourite?

Only Balbriggan (4-1) has managed to justify favouritism in the Troytown in the last decade. The average price of the winner in the last ten years is 10-1.

What they say

Noel Meade, trainer of Tout Est Permis
My only real worry is the ground. I just hope he can cope with this quicker ground. I like this fella and one thing I can tell you is that he certainly hasn't gone back since his win at Galway.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Arkwrisht and Young Turk
I was really pleased with Arkwrisht at Naas over a trip that was on the sharp side. I know he handles plenty of cut in the ground but he has won on good ground before and he should be fine on it. He seems in very good form. It is a big ask for Young Turk. It is his first handicap chase but I think the step up in trip will really suit him.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Magic Of Light
She’s a real tough mare who won at the Punchestown festival in April over 2m5f but stays this trip well so will have no problem stepping back up to three miles. She’s in grand form at home and the cheekpieces will help her. I think she has a great each-way chance in a competitive race.

Tom Mullins, trainer of Spider Web and Grand Partner
Spider Web has come out of Limerick in great shape, he's 100 per cent. He hasn't put a foot wrong since then and we're hoping for a big run. I'm very hopeful. Grand Partner gets in off a nice low weight and should be able to give a good account of himself.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Minella Beau and Undressed
He was travelling well in the Cork National when his lack of experience caught him out and he fell at the third last. Hopefully he will have learned from that race and, with luck in running, he should represent us well in a wide-open race. Undressed is only a reserve.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Mine Now
He loves these big-field competitive handicaps and always runs well in them. Hopefully he will run a good, solid race but it does look a very hot renewal.

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