Preview navan 27th Feb

The rescheduled Johnstown Novice Hurdle features on an eight-race card at Navan and Pittoni bids to enhance his Triumph Hurdle credentials.

Charles Byrnes' juvenile maintained his unbeaten jumps record with a convincing success over Cross Appeal at Leopardstown earlier this month and the former John Oxx inmate clearly revels in testing conditions.

This looks by far his sternest examination to date, however, and Quel Esprit's conqueror Coole River could take plenty of beating, despite dropping back in trip.

Lucky William made a big impression when beating Cadspeed at Navan, while Charlie Swan's Start Me Up is also entitled to play his part in the finish.

The Noel Meade-trained Nicanor, winner of top-class novice hurdles in 2006, is still seeking his first success over fences but the Trim Beginners Chase represents an excellent opportunity.

Second to An Cathaoir Mor and Kempes on his last two starts, the Arkle Trophy entrant faces nothing of that calibre here and can start to fulfil his potential in this sphere.

Meade will also harbour high hopes for Across The Bay in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

He made the perfect start over birch when scoring at Naas recently and looks up to adding to his tally.

The meeting starts at 1.35 with the Kilberry Maiden Hurdle and The Ride Aint Free appeared to have a race of this nature in him when third at Gowran Park.

Asiya, Kembla Grange and the 89-rated Flat recruit The Pier may put up most resistance.

Schumpters Lad can recoup Tramore losses in the Nobber Maiden Hurdle, while Jimmy Lambe's hat-trick seeking City Of Doral is a leading player in the Garlow Cross Handicap Hurdle.

Mighty Bob returned to form with a taking success at Naas last month and should give another good account off a 10lb higher mark in the Leinster Handicap Chase.