Over 40 entries for troytown chase
Gordon Elliott has entered six horses as he bids to win the €100,000 Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase for the first time at Navan on Sunday 23rd November.
A total of 44 entries have been received for the course’s flagship event and the Elliott-trained Cause Of Causes is joint top-weight with Willie Mullins’ Djakadam. Elliott is also responsible for Chicago Grey, the recent Hexham winner Bless the Wings, Plan A, Vasco Du Mee, a winner at Down Royal last time out and Balbriggan.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins has entered five for the race and in addition to Djakadam, he could be represented by The Paparrazi Kid, Dogora, Abbey Lane and Rough Justice as he tries to win the race for only the second time, having been previously successful with Beroni, with Paul Townend in the saddle, in 2009.
Noel Meade is another with only one win in the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase to his name and like Gordon Elliott, he has six horses entered. In 1997, Heist and Jason Titley won for the local trainer and this year he will pick from Pandorama, Silver Tassie, Ipsos Du Berlais, Benemeade, Bose Ikard and Thomond as he bids for further success.
Robbie Colgan was in the saddle when Tony Martin won with Royal County Star in 2007 and the Summerhill trainer has three entries to choose from. Gallant Oscar won over hurdles at Navan last Sunday and he could be joined by stable companions Living Next Door and Wrong Turn.
Jim Dreaper boasts a better record in the race. He won it as a rider on his father Tom’s Black Secret in 1970 and as a trainer, he has enjoyed success with both the Kevin O’Brien-ridden River Tarquin in 1991 and more recently, with Notre Pere and Andrew Lynch in 2008. Goonyella, a winner at the Punchestown festival in April and Los Amigos could represent the County Dublin trainer on this occasion.
Curragh trainer Christy Roche could run Groody Hill who won the race with Alan Crowe in the saddle in 2011 while Dessie Hughes, who was successful with Tofino Bay and Davy Russell in 2012, may rely on his dual course winner Nearly Nama’d.
UK Trainer Richard Lee could have his first Navan runner with six-time winner Knock A Hand.
Peter Killeen, Manager of Navan Racecourse said: “The Troytown Chase is one of our most important races on the racing calendar and I’m delighted that Ladbrokes are continuing their support of sponsorship in Navan. The entries for the Ladbrokes Ireland Troytown Chase are terrific with all the top trainers represented and we anticipate a top-class field competing on the 23rd.”
Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes, said: “This is a much coveted prize so it’s unsurprising to see the high calibre of entries at this stage. Historically, the winner has featured quite prominently in the market and it will be interesting to see how the field takes shape.”