Friends Of Navan 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle 2010

1.05 Navan
Friends Of Navan 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €27,300

Pick: Seafield (win)

Aughnacurraveel: Good form in bumpers and 2-2 hurdling so far, proving 4 lengths too good for Sizing Mexico (winner since) at Fairyhouse last time; Had to give away 6lbs to that horse, and should have excellent chance today.

Bacher Boy: Has taken a while to click over hurdles but looked progressive before blowout at Killarney last time out, scoring over this trip at Gowran and Bellewstown during the summer; Could well be good enough if back on right track, so respected.

Ballyburke: Looked like sure fire winner over hurdles when scoring impressively in bumper in February, so disappointing even taking inexperience into account when beaten 15 lengths into third on hurdling debut; Entitled to improve but needs to do so.

Fully Funded: Improved massively from hurdling debut when eased down to beat Couleur De La Loi by 5½ lengths in a Wexford maiden hurdle last month (over this trip); Should step forward again and make presence felt here.

Gift Of Dgab: Made eye-catching debut at Fairyhouse in April and ran another sound race on return at Down Royal (both over 2m); Should take another step forward for experience and fitness, so another one with a chance.

He’s Our Man: Made decent start to life over hurdles when fourth of 14 to Oscars Well in a Punchestown maiden hurdle over this trip; Should make improvement although few similar types here in a better race.

Seafield: Showed plenty of promise in bumpers and readily built on that when grinding down useful Datokepe, showing immense promise on his hurdling debut; Trip was too short (half brother to Joncol) and organised himself remarkably well over hurdles for a horse that’s 17 hands; Will love the cut and every chance.

VERDICT: A useful race in which every horse can be given a realistic shot. None showed more scope than SEAFIELD, who showed immense promise when getting up over a trip that is surely too short for him at Punchestown last time.