Key questions and quotes for the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase

2.30 Navan
Ladbrokes Troytown Chase | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

Will Elliott continue his dominance and, if so, with which one of his team?

Gordon Elliott has won the biggest race at his local track four times in the last five years, but the problem for punters is that the average price of his winners is 8-1 and only 2014 winner Balbriggan started favourite.

This time Elliott runs seven, one more than last year when Out Sam did best of his team in fifth, but Ravenhill is the undisputed number one if the betting and jockey bookings are to be believed.

Davy Russell, who won the race in 2012 on Tofino Bay and again in 2017 on Mala Beach, teams up with Ravenhill for the sixth time. The son of Winged Love has form figures of 11211 when ridden by the twice champion jockey and Elliott is confident of a bold showing.

"Ravenhill ticks a lot of boxes and I'd say he's my number one. 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," the trainer said.

"He's improving all the time and he has a lovely weight, so I'd be hopeful of a big run from him."

Mala Beach in 2017 was 12-1, as was Empire Of Dirt the year before, while Riverside City returned at 8-1, so could one of Elliott's outsiders deliver for the layers?

Gordon Elliott: poses a question for backers by saddling seven runnersCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Big Lense has won two of his last three starts and Roaring Bull, Gun Digger and Noble Endeavor have all tumbled down the weights. Woods Well will need to improve on his latest efforts, as will Timiyan, but both are decent on their day.

Elliott said of the rest of his team: "The Big Lense has started the season well and has already won at Navan. It was too early when he departed in the Munster National to know how he would have fared. Roaring Bull is not a bad horse when on song, so I wouldn't underestimate him, while Gun Digger has ability too when he puts it all together.

"Noble Endeavor disappointed us over hurdles at Clonmel but we know he is better than that, while Woods Well and Timiyan would have to improve."

Has Nolan chosen the right path for Discorama?

Paul Nolan was faced with a quandary this week. He had to pick between two of the most valuable and prestigious handicap chases of the season for his stamina-laden staying chaser, Discorama. The Troytown or the Ladbrokes Trophy six days later.

Newbury's loss is Navan's gain as Discorama will try to defy a mark of 149 on home soil, with 5lb claimer Sean O'Keeffe booked to ease the burden of top weight for the National Hunt Chase runner-up.

"Discorama has a big weight to carry but we're happy with him. He is not the biggest of horses, so it is a big task for him to carry all that weight. Sean is a very good chap and he will ride plenty of winners, hopefully some for me!" Nolan said.

Discorama: 'He has big weight to carry but we're happy with him'Credit: Alain Barr

The Enniscorthy trainer's second string is the useful Fitzhenry, who is no back number.

"Fitzhenry had a nice comeback run over hurdles at Galway and seems in good form. He is always there or thereabouts in races like this, so hopefully he can go well again here," Nolan said.

Will Joseph O'Brien land his first Troytown?

If it is an unexposed second-season novice you are after, Joseph O'Brien has two of them – Tower Bridge and Shady Operator.

Tower Bridge was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and chased home A Plus Tard in the Close Brothers at the Cheltenham Festival, albeit 16 lengths in arrears, while Shady Operator has a win over Ballyward on his CV from a beginners' chase at Punchestown.

Shady Operator: 'He's up in class and we are hoping he can pick up some prize-money'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Tower Bridge has a good run at Naas under his belt and the step up in trip will suit him we think. He seems in good form and we would like to think he has a good each-way chance," said O'Brien.

"Shady Operator is up in class and we are hoping he can pick up some prize-money," added the trainer.

Can Portmore continue his winning streak?

No horse comes into the race in better form than Portmore Lough, who has won his last two races at Galway.

The evergreen John Kiely is a master at training staying chasers and Mark Walsh has chosen the lightly-raced eight-year-old from a host of JP McManus-owned contenders.

John Kiely: master of training staying chasers runs Portmore LoughCredit: Patrick McCann

Kiely said: "He's in good form but I wouldn't like the ground to be too deep for him. We'll know where we stand with him after this."

What they say

Robbie Power, rider of Chris's Dream
Chris's Dream has won first time out before and that's why he's going straight to the Troytown. He seems best when fresh. He'll like the ground and he loves Navan. He has won both his starts on the track and seems to love the place. I can't wait to ride him.

Philip Dempsey, trainer of Mr Diablo
I think he's in good form. We're very happy with him. He's been away schooling and that went well. It's a competitive affair and if he finished in the first four I'd be happy.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Redhotfillypeppers
It’s ten years since Beroni won the race for us and I think 10-5 is a nice weight for Redhotfillypeppers, who is one from three over fences. She jumps and gallops well, and if they get the rain that is forecast, it should make it a real stamina test.

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