Defi Bleu can regain Troytown Chase superiority for Gordon Elliott
It’s historically one of the most competitive handicaps of the jumps season, but the Troytown Chase (2.50) has seen a sequence of comprehensive winners in recent years with unexposed types tending to soar in the Navan showpiece, and that may be the case again tomorrow.
Gordon Elliott is the man to follow as he throws seven darts at the €80,000 contest, with Defi Bleu standing out on just his seventh chase start. Elliott monopolised this prize with four successive victories (2014-’17) and the Meath trainer may prevail once again with Defi Bleu a live chance if he continues his recent progression over the larger obstacles.
The eight-year-old came into his own last spring with a beginners’ chase success at Wexford before chasing home Chatham Street Lad in a Grade Three at Limerick in March and while he hasn’t hit the race track since, a handy racing weight (10-11) is another big plus in his favour.
Elliott recently remarked to the Racing Post that “there’s definitely a big one in this lad” and, having landed his maiden hurdle on similarly good ground as he’ll encounter at the Meath track, this could be his day.
Bryan Cooper is back in favour in Gigginstown’s maroon and white having landed the 2016 Gold Cup for Michael O’Leary on Don Cossack before they parted ways, but they can renew acquaintances with another big winner in an intriguing renewal.
The unseasonably dry weather hitting these shores means many of Willie Mullins’ star-studded string have not hit the track yet, with just 11 runners across the weekend, and that leaves the door ajar for Elliott. Having already taken six of the last 10 runnings of the Grade Three John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle (1.50), he is firmly in pole position to add to that.
There’s some surprise to see €470,000 purchase Ginto and €300,000 buy Hollow Games – both owned by Noel and Valerie Moran – taking each other on in a tidy renewal. Both scored impressively on their hurdling debuts and could turn into smart operators, but neither represent much value for punters and preference is for Joseph O’Brien’s experienced hurler Lunar Display.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle hero Bob Olinger in the opening beginners’ chase (12.0) at Gowran Park today with Henry de Bromhead’s charge facing 17 rivals on his chasing debut and while victory is likely, Paul Nolan’s Mercury Lane (e/w) could be the each-way steal in a tasty affair.
