A CHAIRMAN of the Racing Board once stated that his main regret on leaving the post was that he had not closed down Navan racecourse, and it is an open secret that the Racing Authority would shed few tears if the track was transformed into a housing estate overnight. So it is some vote of confidence in the Co Meath venue that two high class performers, Urubande and Sound Man, will be in action there this afternoon.
Although Sound Man contests a handicap, Urubande seems to face the greater challenge, opposed as he is in the Lismullen Hurdle by such performers as Cockney Lad, New Co, Ultra Flutter and Notcomplainingbut, all of whom, apart from Ultra Flutter, have been in action lately.
Urubande showed himself to be a star in the making when taking the gun Alliance Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham under a masterful ride by Charlie Swan. The champion jockey was equally good at Aintree, where Urubande, who led throughout, held on by a neck from the outsider, Strong Promise.
This is an extremely tough seasonal reappearance for the six-year-old and it will be no major surprise if he is run out of it in the closing stages. Still, he is such a talented performer that he might have enough in reserve to beat Cockney Lad and New Co.
Opera Hat's withdrawal from the Fortria EBF Handicap Chase means that only two take on Sound Man and if, as seems likely, the eight-year-old has a bloodless victory, he may run at Clonmel next week before heading for another crack at Sandown's Tingle Creek Chase.
