Gordon Elliott eyeing festival after classy novice's luck changes at last

Tuesday: Navan

Connections of Farouk D'Alene have endured a frustrating winter, with a last-stride defeat in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick and a narrow reverse behind Stattler in a Grade 3 at Naas subsequently. The cards fell his way at Navan though when he inched a close battle in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase.

At the second-last it looked as though he was going to fail to hold off fellow Gigginstown-owned runner Beacon Edge, but gradually the 4-11 shot ground the finish out of his rival and prevailed by three-quarters of a length under Jack Kennedy.

Paddy Power responded by cutting the winner to 12-1 (from 14) for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, and according to trainer Gordon Elliott, that is his most likely target.

He said: "He's in that race and he's in the National Hunt Chase. We'll leave him in, see what the ground is like and make our minds up when we get over there. There would have to be some soft in it.

"He's a grand sort of horse. He was entitled to do that. I thought for a second it was going to be a repeat of Limerick but he just does what he has to do. He's deceptive, he's quicker than he looks and it just took him a bit of time to get his confidence back in his jumping, but down over the last three he was good."

Progressive Belle gets the job done

Honeysuckle's owner Kenny Alexander saw another mare carry his colours to success in a stakes race, and while Brampton Belle is not in the same league, there could be another race or two at Listed level to be won with her.

The daughter of Blue Bresil showed a really good attitude under Rachael Blackmore as she battled strongly once getting to the front to account for favourite Lunar Display by half a length, although the result might have been different had the latter got a clearer run.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead, now within 13 winners of a first domestic century of winners in a season, said: "She really toughed it out and showed a great attitude. That's her gig. She stays well, jumps well and I'd say the softer the ground the better."

"The plan was to come here and then head to Limerick next month for the Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle, so that's what we'll do."

It was a good day too for the sire Blue Bresil, as he was also responsible for the bumper winner Madmansgame. A strapping sort, he was bought for 250,000gns after winning a point-to-point at Boulta in December, and stayed on well for Patrick Mullins. He looks likely to join Willie Mullins' already enviable cohort in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Results, replays and analysis

More from Navan:

Boyne Hurdle: More Mark Walsh magic as Thedevilscoachman denies Ashdale Bob

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