Squouateur returns to hurdles as Gordon Elliott runs five in valuable contest

There are frustrating horses and then there is Squouateur. Trained by Gordon Elliott for owner JP McManus, the grey has promised to win a hatful of handicap hurdles throughout the past couple of seasons but remains without a win since February 2016.

Returning to hurdles after a spell chasing, Elliott is hoping the seven-year-old can show the world what he displays on the gallops at home as he forms part of a five-runner assault on Navan's 2m4f €50,000 Tara Handicap Hurdle (1.00) for the stable.

Elliott said: "Squouateur has ability but it looks as though he wasn't trying too hard over fences so we've decided to put him back over hurdles and hopefully we'll see something better."

On the rest of his runners, the trainer added: "De Plotting Shed has plenty of weight and Ball D'Arc is returning from a break, but Dinaria Des Obeaux could be well treated if she comes back to her best. Stooshie should appreciate the step up in trip."

Jessica Harrington had her patience rewarded when Walk To Freedom, who has suffered two lengthy layoffs since 2016, returned to the winner's enclosure at this track last month.

Harrington, who also runs Jack Fiasco and recent recruit Law Girl, says Walk To Freedom has been in good form since his win over subsequent scorer De Name Escapes Me.

Harrington said: "I’ve been absolutely delighted with Walk To Freedom and he seems to be in a good place so we’ll keep going.

"Law Girl is new to me – she was bought out of the sales – and we’re going to cover her in the spring, so we’ll just see how she goes. Jack Fiasco has been consistent this year and he’ll run a good race."

Envoi out to enhance Elliott record

The title of "Future Champions" Flat Race (3.10) for the Listed bumper at Navan goes some way towards advertising the calibre of horse to have contested the race in recent seasons.

Gordon Elliott's record in the contest speaks for itself, with successes for the stable's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack when he was still a raw prospect back in 2011, right up to recent victories for Death Duty, Samcro and the ill-fated Rapid Escape last season.

The expectation is that Envoi Allen can continue the trainer’s fine record in the prestigious bumper and confirm himself a classy prospect.

Elliott said: "He did nothing wrong on his debut for us at Fairyhouse and Jamie Codd said a big, galloping track like Navan will suit him."

The chief threat appears to be Joseph O'Brien's Midnight Run, a brother to Champion Bumper runner-up Carefully Selected. The four-year-old was snapped up by Gigginstown House Stud after winning a Galway bumper on debut.

O'Brien said: "He was impressive at Galway but I'm not sure the race had as much depth to it as the one Envoi Allen won at Fairyhouse.

"We like our horse and win, lose or draw, we think he's an exciting horse for the future. The more rain the better for him."

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