Monday 20th March 2023

Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

Welcome aboard to his Monday blog where I’ll focus on Navan where it’s Webster Cup Day. I’ve got four selections on the day and the first one comes in the 2:20 which is a handicap hurdle that’s ridden over two miles. This is a competitive affair, however, I’m siding with By Your Side here at 4/1 for Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Sullivan. He was last seen when finishing fourth at Naas in February, where he made a bad mistake late on which cost him his chance. I think that he’s still on a reasonable mark, and if getting a clearer round of jumping on this occasion he should be there or thereabouts at the business end of things.

My second punt comes in the 2:55 which is a novice hurdle contested over two miles and six furlongs. I’ve taken a chance on Paul Marvel here at 10/3 for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. He’s only had the one start to date for Willie and that was a winning one, getting the better of a Gordon Elliott runner in a two-mile affair at Limerick in January. He sports the famous Ricci silks and I think he’s got scope for considerable improvement over this longer trip, if progressing again which is very likely, he’s got every chance of going close.

The feature race of the day is the 3:25 which is the Grade 2 Webster Cup over two miles and four and a half furlongs. This looks to be all about Any Second Now at 5/6 who’s my NAP of the day for Ted Walsh and Denis O’Regan. Last year’s Grand National runner-up has miles the best form on offer in this particular contest and if he’s anywhere near his best he should get a perfect preparation before having another tilt at the Grand National. He was last seen when finishing fourth in the Irish Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs, and a repeat of that effort will be more than good enough.

My fourth and final pick comes in the 3:55 which is a handicap chase that’s over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. This is another extremely competitive handicap, and I’ve taken a chance on one at a big price and that’s Brampton Belle at 18/1 for Connor Brassil and Henry De Bromhead. She’s got a bit to find on some of those at the top of the betting here, but she’s a consistent mare who ran another solid race when finishing third of seventeen in another competitive handicap at this track behind a couple of today’s rivals. She’s on the same mark here but has Brassil taking off five pounds, and I think she could outrun her odds.

image credit: horseracingphotos.co.uk