"Navan Set to Shine with Exciting Racing Events This Weekend"

As the racing season reaches its peak, Navan is in the spotlight this weekend, paving the way for a series of prominent events in Irish horse racing. With the exciting Morgiana-John Durkan doubleheader at Punchestown and the Hatton’s Grace meeting at Fairyhouse approaching, the two Grade Two races at Navan on Saturday serve as an enticing preview.

Local favorite Gordon Elliott is set for an impressive day, with Found A Fifty at the forefront in the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase. The competition is tough, featuring Champion Chaser Captain Guinness and Grade One heavyweights Banbridge and Gentleman De Mee. However, the upward trajectory of Found A Fifty indicates that he is more than prepared to rise to the occasion.

In the previous season, he secured victory in the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree, following impressive performances at both the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham. His debut this season at Down Royal confirmed his exceptional talent, as he comfortably surpassed Galway Plate winner Pinkerton. With race fitness now in his favor and a powerful combination of speed and agility, Found A Fifty is poised to take advantage of the return to a two-mile distance and outperform his prestigious competitors.

A year after his narrow defeat to Bob Olinger in the Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle, Zanahiyr returns to seek redemption. Although his venture into chasing showed some potential, it was marred by inconsistency. Opting to return to hurdling appears to be the best decision for this skilled competitor.

With a weight advantage of five pounds compared to Bob Olinger, Zanahiyr's impressive summer form positions him as a top contender to turn the tables on last year's outcome. His capability to maintain focus over a longer distance renders him a formidable opponent in what is sure to be an exciting rematch.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase is filled with excitement, featuring a lineup full of promise. Nurburgring, who triumphed in the Galway Hurdle, is definitely a standout contender. His breeding—connected to Street Cry and Shamardal—suggests a strong background in flat racing, yet Nurburgring's smooth switch to hurdling and his potential to excel in chasing make him an intriguing candidate. His natural talent, along with the four-year-olds' allowance, could prove crucial against Gordon Elliott's pair, King Of Kingsfield and Down Memory Lane, as well as the emerging star Backtonormal.

The highlight of Sunday is the Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase, a true haven for bettors. Henry de Bromhead’s runner, The Short Go, presents an interesting blend of promise and potential. A strong performance in October at Cheltenham indicated a renewed determination over fences, which stands in stark contrast to his previous form over hurdles. While American Mike and Perceval Legallois are formidable challengers, the advantage of a lighter weight for The Short Go might just give him the edge.

The Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners’ Chase is set to feature an epic showdown between Cheltenham Festival champions Slade Steel and Better Days Ahead. Slade Steel, trained by De Bromhead and already a winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, appears ready to achieve more success as he makes the switch to chasing.