Timeform Irish Daily: Sunday, Navan Novice Hurdle 13:25

Don Cossack has a good chance of winning for Gordon Elliott

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the Navan Novice Hurdle, a race featuring the exciting Don Cossack...

Busty Brown is a progressive hurdler and took another step forward when proving 2 lengths too good for Seefood in C&D Grade 2 last time, showing a good attitude. Handles heavy going with aplomb.                                                  

Don Cossack showed smart form in bumpers and created an excellent impression when flooring his 14 rivals on hurdles debut here (2m) last month. Step up in trip should be in his favour and rates an exciting prospect.                             

Rule The World was successful on sole start in points and 2-3 in this sphere to date, winning a maiden and novice event either side of narrow defeat in Grade 3 at Cork (3m) last month. Open to further improvement.                            

Seefood was useful in bumpers and scored twice in this sphere at Fairyhouse prior to chasing home Busty Brown in C&D Grade 2 latest. Work to do if he's to reverse those placings, but respected nevertheless.                      

Pont Alexandre was a decisive winner of 4-y-o hurdle sole start in France in May. Since joined top yard and interesting that Ruby Walsh partners him in favour of Reine Angevine. Watch the betting for clues.                                   

Reine Angevine  Confirmed hurdles debut promise when landing a maiden at Gowran (2m) in October. Followed-up over same C&D in novice event subsequently and shapes as though this trip will be within her range.                             

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Don Cossack
2. Rule The World 
3. Busty Brown

Timeform View: Busty Brown sets the standard, but he's up against some potentially very smart novices here, particularly the Gigginstown Stud-owned duo, Don Cossack and Rule The World. Davy Russell presumably had the choice of which to ride, so it looks significant that he's aboard Don Cossack, a factor which tilts the scales in the favour of Gordon Elliott's charge.    

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