Check out the tips for this weekend

Tips were plentiful at the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan tonight where local racing enthusiasts turned up to get their cards expertly marked ahead of the action at Navan and Fairyhouse this month and in December.

With a panel of 'experts' that included trainer Noel Meade and jockeys Robbie Power, Sean Flanagan, Davy Russell, who travelled to Navan after racing at Clonmel today where he had a well-backed winner, and Keith Donohoe.

The information was flying from the stage and the patrons who turned up certainly had plenty to absob.

The message from Robbie Power was that the quality of racing here (in Ireland) is of an exceptionally high standard and perhaps the general public don't appreciate that.

“I was in Cheltenham last week, on the Friday and the Saturday, and the quality there was no where near the standard we have here especially with the action locally over the next few weeks,” he said.

“Next week I'm going to Chepstow to ride a nice horse, Lost In Translation, that should win, it's fine going over when it doesn't clash with racing here, but my first job is with Jessie (Harrington) and I have to take care of that,” he added.

Keith Donohoe got the prize, if there was one, for the quote of the night in relation to one of Gordon Elliott's horses - “He wouldn't stay three miles in a horse box” stated the Dunshaughlin man.

On the question of whether Gordon Elliott will take the champions trainers' title from Willie Mullins, Davy Russell suggested that it will happen.

“Gordon is a young and ambitious trainer, he caters for many different owners , Willie is an exceptional trainer, but just look at Colin Keane and Pat Smullen this year, Gordon and Willie is a similar type of battle,” stated Davy Russell.

Gordon's bid for success in the USA this weekend was also mentioned with Beckford going for a big race Stateside at Del Mar in the Breeders' Cup juvenile turf tomorrow.

Both Noel Meade and Davy Russell highlighted the safety aspect of both the Navan and Fairyhouse tracks.

“Navan and Fairyhouse are both very safe tracks to run good horses on and that's very important as we have to try to keep the horses healthy and fit if they are going to win big races,” stated Noel Meade.

Charity Bets (€50) sponsored by Bar One were as follows:

Davy Russell – Crackin Smart (Sunday)

Sean Flanagan – Disko (Saturday)

Noel Meade – Class Mate (Friday)

Robbie Power – Sizing Network (Saturday)

Keith Donohoe – Rapid Escape (Saturday)

HEAR WHAT THE PANEL HAD TO SAY