Stellar Grade 1-class ensemble set to entertain at Navan with the Fortria Chase an early belter

After a successful launch last year, the Navan Racing Festival is evolving into a hugely anticipated weekend in the Irish jumps racing calendar and day one features an enhanced cast to 12 months ago, which is a ringing endorsement given two subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners appeared at the county Meath track.

The Bar One Racing Fortria Chase (2.33) boasts four Grade 1 winners and the first two home in last season's Champion Chase. Captain Guinness, who bids for a third successive win in the Grade 2, emerged in front after a protracted battle at Cheltenham with Gentleman De Mee and the pair lock horns again.

They have plenty on their plate up against the consistent and race-fit Found A Fifty and the King George-bound Banbridge, who flew in from a different postcode at Punchestown to catch Captain Guinness close home at Punchestown in April and will get his desired ground.