Navan Preview: Tom Taaffe won last year's William Hill Troytown Chase with Cane Brake, who ended up running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the Straffan trainer looks to have a possible follow-up candidate for Navan's feature tomorrow in Merdeka.
The Gold Cup was being mentioned in relation to Merdeka too during a very promising career over hurdles, but last season's novice chase campaign turned into a real anti-climax as the seven-year-old won just once from six starts over fences.
That came at Limerick last Christmas, but the tone seemed set before that when he fell at the third on his Down Royal debut.
All in all, it was probably a relief for Taaffe when the season wound up, but there was plenty to like about Merdeka's return to action at Naas when running on second to his stable companion Breaking Silence. The step up to three miles should be ideal.
"I was very happy with his last run as he showed all his old enthusiasm," Taaffe said. "He's up in trip but he certainly seems up to running well over it and it seems the obvious route to take."
The Taaffe team appear to be in good form generally and Merdeka looks to be racing off a nice weight with the Grade One winner Mister Top Notch at the top of the handicap. Benefit Night, a couple of pounds above Merdeka in the weights, could be a threat but hasn't run since February.
Noel Meade throws two at the Grade Three Monksfield Novice Hurdle and although Paul Carberry is on Antipode, two and a half miles around a galloping track will be ideal for Gem Daly who has always been highly rated in the champion trainer's yard.
Lenrey started co-favourite for last season's Pierse Hurdle and looks an interesting runner in the Beginners Chase with Davy Russell on board while Plunge looks another good ride for the season's leading jockey in the second maiden hurdle.
A good performance by Gem Daly will be encouraging for fans of Coldwells in the handicap hurdle. The Francis Flood runner was a decent fourth to that horse in a maiden at Punchestown and appears to be well weighted for this two and half mile contest.
