Wa Wa taken to seal hat-trick over fences

1.08 Navan 1pt each-way

There is some quality action at Navan today, particularly the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle. Plenty of good horses line up in the novice chase and both divisions of the maiden hurdles, too, although there will be short-priced favourites in those contests.

The two Graded handicaps are the races I will concentrate on for betting purposes, beginning with the Grade B Bective Stud Handicap Hurdle. This is a quality contest with a healthy representation from the Willie Mullins stable and the champion trainer may have the answer with the Jack Foley-ridden Maze Runner.

He is inexperienced over hurdles with just six runs, but the most recent was when he overcame a ropey round of jumping to win a competitive Graded handicap hurdle over 3m at Leopardstown in February.

Since then he has been campaigned on the Flat, finishing an excellent third in the Irish Cesarewitch and fourth in the November Handicap at Naas.

The best of Maze Runner (right) has probably yet to be seen over hurdles, and more accomplished jumping will enhance his chances. He has a considerable engine and should not be far away.

Wa Wa 2.53 Navan

2pts win

Just 11 go to post for the Grade B Foxrock Handicap Chase, not a race as competitive as it should be, and it gives a chance for the progressive Wa Wa to complete a hat-trick. An ordinary hurdler, he has come to life since jumping fences, winning the last two of his four starts in that sphere. After bolting up in a 2m7f beginners’ chase at Killarney in October, he was then sent to Naas to contest a competitivelooking novice handicap chase last month.

Dropping back to this trip, again he travelled well and once getting to the front at the second-last quickly put the race to bed.

A trip of 2m4f on a stiff track seems to suit him on this evidence and he is progressing enough to warrant a crack at a race like this.