Brendan back to defend Navigation crown Brendan Brackan and Sruthan, regulars of the Listed corkracecourse.ie Navigation Stakes, are back to contest the extended mile event, the feature of an eight-race card at the Mallow venue. Brendan Brackan is a great old favourite at the Glenburnie yard of his trainer, Ger Lyons, and the seven-year-old is a dual course and distance winner here at Cork. Indeed the Big Bad Bob gelding was successful in this event 12 months ago. Three years back Brendan Brackan also ran in the race. On that occasion he performed with credit as well, though finding winner Rich Coast a length and a quarter his superior. Sruthan has also taken a silver medal in the Navigation, coming home half a length behind the 2014 hero of the hour, Sun On The Run. He wasn't so good last year when last of the five behind Brendan Brackan. Highly Toxic is the other older horse in the seven-strong field, which is predominantly made up of three-year-olds. From the Classic generation the pair to principally take the eye are Black Hawk War and Tipstaff. Black Hawk War had his first start less than a fortnight ago, and he now puts his unbeaten record on the line on start number three. The Ballydoyle colt won twice in quick succession at Limerick, to earn himself a 99 assessment from the handicapper. Tipstaff meanwhile, is the Godolphin and Jim Bolger hope. He is back from the mile-and-a-quarter of his Navan maiden win, but the son of Street Cry has to be taken very seriously. In the concluding Christmas Party Package Maiden, Collision Course puts his 94 rating to the test on his first outing since May. Andy Oliver's charge turned in a noteworthy effort to finish fifth behind subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Awtaad in the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh. Billy Lee's booking and the step-up to an extended mile look positive factors with regard to the grey's chance here.
