IRISH PREVIEWS:THERE MAY be a quality lull in Ireland this weekend ahead of the Curragh's Guineas festival but that won't stop Pat Smullen enjoying a potential beano at tomorrow's Navan fixture.
The champion jockey looks to have good prospects of up to four winners, with the 100-rated Croisultan capable of kicking things off for Smullen in the four-runner conditions sprint.
A course and distance winner on heavy ground here during a busy eight-race juvenile campaign, Croisultan returned to action with a fine second to Jumbajukiba at this track.
That run should give him an advantage over the other 100- rated runner, Sugar Free, whose form takes in Group One efforts in both the Cheveley Park and the Moyglare, as well as a fifth in last year’s Queen Mary.
Due to the testing ground conditions, no stalls are scheduled for use on the sprint course which will be in use for the first three races.
Cihangir won at this track last time out in a manner which suggested a massive 15lb hike in the ratings won’t stop him following up in the five furlong handicap, while Dermot Weld should also supply Smullen with another first-rate prospect in Enchanted Evening, who failed by just a short head to Jakarta Jazz last time.
Smullen’s services have been snapped up by Tom McCourt for Dukedom in the concluding 10 furlong handicap and there should be improvement to come from that one’s seasonal debut at the Curragh behind Holly Hill.
The latter also appears at Navan tomorrow in the fillies handicap and could be value to defy a 10lb penalty against John Oxx’s threeyear-old Miss Keller.
Mick Kinane is another jockey to follow tomorrow with Big Game Hunter hiked up to 13 furlongs for the three-year-old maiden after an encouraging third to Stately Home at Leopardstown.
Kinane is also an eye-catching booking by James Burns for the newcomer Brosna Tied in the opener.
The most valuable race at Limerick tomorrow is the conditions hurdle which sees a number of high-profile chasers in action.
They include the Grade One winner Conna Castle as well as the 2008 Grand National third Snowy Morning, who put in a welcome return to winning form at Killarney last Sunday when getting the better of Newmill.
Splurge has a second start over fences in the Beginners Chase and should be sharper for his fencing debut behind Askthemaster here.
