Johnny Ward's Irish Angle: Silver can strike gold at Navan on Saturday
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
After the avalanche of racing we've had since the resumption in Ireland in early June, it seems curious that there is a day off on Sunday.
Whilst at John Murtagh's yard this week, we spoke about what little is said about stable staff, who have been expected to clock in and clock out without complaint since racing returned, with barely a day's respite.
They love the game, and they certainly won’t complain – and in many ways we do not appreciate their toil enough.
Hopefully many of them enjoy their Saturday night with a rare lie-in on Sunday morning – and a few winners would help.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 4/9
He's very hard to oppose on this ground with the track probably suiting better over the five-furlong trip than Tipperary, where this race was due to take place before the meeting was abandoned midweek.
He faces a lesser challenge in this race than he would have done at Tipperary and looks a certainty on his effort at the Curragh last week.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 12thSP: 9/1
Andy Oliver's charge seems fortunate to have been dropped 2lb for his run at the Curragh, as he was said to be struck into.
Colin Keane is a really eye-catching booking here and, out of Levanto by Make Believe, there should be a decent soft-ground handicap in him. His previous Galway run was a good effort too.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 5thSP: 2/1
Rudy Catrail demolished his rivals at Tipperary last time over hurdles. The ground was given as soft; whatever it was, horses were finishing legless on it, but he wasn't.
This will take a lot of getting and he should be really hard to pass as he jumps fences bravely. Shane Fenelon is excellent value for 7lb and his mount has course form.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 2ndSP: 15/2
This horse was due to run recently at Sligo, but the meeting was abandoned due to the ground.
This Excelebration filly ran a good race in a handicap on her seasonal debut at Gowran over a mile but she seems to be crying out for a step up in trip.
On her most recent start at Killarney, she veered right entering the stalls and was never really travelling, but was only beaten a length.
This big galloping track should suit her, as should blinkers, and she looks genuine but just needs a bit of a wake-up. She should have a great chance if she is making her challenge coming into the straight.
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