Gordon Elliott urges ground caution for in-form The Bosses Oscar

Navan Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f, 4yo+ | RTV

In competitive handicaps such as this, it is usually good to start with horses who have not quite shown their hand and therefore have a few pounds to play with.

The Bosses Oscar, representing Gordon Elliott, fits the bill. He was a good winner of a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Leopardstown last month and, judging by the way he hit the line on that occasion, he should be at home around a big, galloping track like Navan.

A mark of 132 looks workable for his handicap debut and he looks the pick of the trainer's trio, which includes Coko Beach, who will appreciate the step back to 2m4f, and the returning Clondaw Native.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Alfa Mix sluiced up in a course-and-distance handicap hurdle last month and, while the handicapper did not miss him by handing him 9lb, he is another who rates as a potential improver.

If it's the tried and trusted model you're after Hareth will tick plenty of boxes, having landed this race in 2018 for Charles Byrnes.

He may not be getting any younger but comes into this off the back of a good second at Cork and has a nice weight.

Others to note are the JP McManus-owned pair Drop The Anchor, who will need to jump better than he did at Leopardstown, and topweight Kilfenora, a cosy winner of a valuable handicap hurdle at Naas in November.

What the stats say

Gordon Elliott is the man in form coming into this €50,000 feature. Throughout the past fortnight alone, Elliott, who is represented by Coko Beach, The Bosses Oscar and Clondaw Native, has sent out 12 winners.

Elliott's big rival Willie Mullins, represented by Dolciano Dici, has his string in similarly good shape with 11 winners during the same time period. Mullins is operating at a slightly better strike-rate to Elliott, however, with 24 per cent compared to 18.

What the trainers say

Eddie Harty, trainer of Kilfenora
He won well last time and went up plenty for it. This is an obvious race for him – he's won over the trip and on similar ground before. He's got top weight to carry but he has it for a reason.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Coko Beach, The Bosses Oscar and Clondaw Native
Coming back in trip should suit Coko Beach. He travelled well over three miles the last day and it looked like he just wasn't getting home over that far when he fell at the last. The Bosses Oscar was very good at Leopardstown and you'd imagine that Navan will suit him well, but I'd just be a bit worried about the ground for him. Real tacky ground won't play to his strengths. He's in good form, though, and he has a nice racing weight. Clondaw Native has a long absence to overcome and we think he'll improve for whatever he does.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Alfa Mix
He won well over the course and distance recently and we've been very happy with him since. I don't know if he's improved since it. I'm happy with him and would be hopeful of a good run.

Pat Fahy, trainer of Drop The Anchor
I was disappointed with the way he jumped at Leopardstown, but I'd forgive him that because the ground was very quick. He has a nice weight and, provided he jumps, he should go well.

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