If you’re looking for a refined display of speed and agility, look elsewhere. Sunday’s 3.20 at Navan is going to be a 4,800-yard slog through the Irish peat. It’s the Gibneys Of Malahide Handicap Hurdle, and on “Heavy” ground, this isn’t a race—it’s an interrogation.
Here is the no-nonsense breakdown.
The Speed Trap
Expect Jupiter Du Gite and Hitthehayson to tear off in front. They are both habitual front-runners who like to see out their races from the teeth of the wind. In this ground, they are essentially doing the hard work for everyone else. Unless one of them steals a 20-length lead, they are likely to “weaken tamely” (as the comments suggest) once they hit the Navan incline.
The Weight of the World
The Miracle Man is the class act on paper, but he’s lumbered with 11st 9lb. Giving away 16lbs to unexposed rivals on a vertical finish in the mud is a monumental task. He’ll be thereabouts because he’s tough, but he’s a much better Each-Way shout than a “banker” to win.
The “Job” Horse
All eyes are on Teds Corner. Trained by Tony Martin—a man who treats handicaps like a game of chess—this horse has been dropped into a 0-100 contest carrying just 10st 7lb. He stayed on like a train over a shorter trip here last month. He’s been “hidden” in mid-division in recent starts, and this step up to 2m6f looks like the final piece of the puzzle.
The Verdict
If you want to beat the bookies, you follow the weight and the trainer’s intent. Teds Corner has been laid out for this. He’ll sit off the suicide pace set by the leaders and pick them up turning for home.
The Selection: Teds Corner (IRE)
The Danger: The Miracle Man (for the forecast)
The Dark Horse: Themanintheboots (Never ignore Elliott at Navan)