Emcon bids for second chase win off career-high mark

5.10 Navan
Follow Navan On Facebook Handicap Chase | 5yo+ | 2m4f | ATR

A four-time winner over hurdles, the Willie Austin-trained eight-year-old Emcon will be bidding for a second win over fences off a career high mark of 128 following her second to Mr Diablo over a slightly longer trip at Leopardstown last time.

Who's That, who has recorded one victory from five starts over fences, is the only last-time-out winner in the line-up having landed a 2m2f handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in February.

Lisclogher Lad, who split The Paparrazi Kid and The Crafty Butcher in a veterans' chase at Wexford last time, will be bidding for a first win over fences at his 12th attempt

At 13, the Pauline Gavin-trained Ad Idem is the oldest horse in the race and Rachael Blackmore's mount, who finished fourth at Thurles on his most recent start, will be bidding for a first win since he scored at the same course over six years ago.

There are two other course winners in the line-up – Flemenstorm, who dead-heated over 2m1f at the track in December, and Whatareudoingtome, who won a 2m7f handicap hurdle in 2014.

What they say

Alan Fleming, trainer of Hurricane Darwin
He was a bit disappointing over hurdles last time but seems in better form now for this return to fences.

Noel Meade, trainer of Net D'Ecosse
He was disappointing at Leopardstown last time when he made mistakes and was pulled up. He's better than that and hopefully he'll run a better race this time.

Steve Mahon, trainer of Smokey Joe Joe
He's in good shape and should be competitive. The ground won't be ideal, although he did surprise me when he won on testing going at Limerick in December.

Liam Cusack, trainer of Who's That
She's in good form and we're hoping she goes well, but she might need the experience of a first run in a handicap.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Cecil Corbett
He hasn't run since November and seems in good form. He's as fit as I can get him without a recent run, but it usually takes a run to get him right.

Phillip Dempsey, trainer of Whatareudoingtome
He's in good form and if the ground dries out a bit it will suit.