• Nicky Richards’ veteran chaser can land Cheltenham handicap• Al Dancer puts down Festival marker on chasing debutGiven the weather doubts that afflict today’s Flat racing at Doncaster and Newbury, Cheltenham could find itself at the centre of attention a month earlier than normal. In any case, the jumps track provides a fascinating card of tricky handicaps, from which Duke Of Navan (3.10) may emerge as the best bet.Nicky Richards’s veteran has not achieved the heights that seemed likely when he won the Morebattle Hurdle six years ago but is very useful on his day. He was beaten by a head in this race last year by Modus and no rival of that quality faces him this time, while he gets to run from the same rating. A strong pace seems assured, with Saint Calvados and the newly visored Gino Trail in the line-up, so this might pan out very nicely for Duke Of Navan, a strong-travelling, hold-up type. Continue reading…
Via: Talking Horses: Duke Of Navan has quality to lord it over rivals
Categories: English News