Racecards
15:25 Navan (IRE)
Webster Cup Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 90y
- Going: Heavy (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €36,500 added
- Winner: €21,901
- 2nd: €7,300
- 3rd: €3,650
- 4th: €1,825
- Form 9612-24
- Age 11
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 160
- Trainer T M Walsh
- Jockey D F O'Regan
tracked leaders in 3rd, disputed lead from 4th, pushed along and briefly headed 3 out, disputed lead before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in
- Form 42-2215
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey J J Slevin
tracked leader in 2nd early, disputed lead from 2nd, jumped right at times, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no impression on leaders in 3rd, mistake 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th before last, no extra
- Form 1U2-1FF
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey M J M O'Sullivan
raced in last throughout, trailing and pushed along 3 out, jumped left 2 out, ran on run-in but never involved
- Form 8-11162
- Age 13
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer C W J Farrell
- Jockey Mr S Cavanagh
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in moderate 4th 3 out, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace
- Form 16-0PP1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer T Gibney
- Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe
led early, took keen hold, joined from 2nd, slight mistake 7th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed before last, kept on one pace in 2nd run-in
In depth
Verdict
ANY SECOND NOW would have finished closer to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup but for being impeded. He would be conceding lumps of weight to these in a handicap and should have a winning preparation for another crack at Aintree. Busselton is a very consistent performer over fences with an Irish Grand National entry. He won the Kerry National at Listowel in September, when stablemate Fire Attack was on the retreat when falling, while Velvet Elvis, who won a Grade B handicap here a year ago and is also Aintree-bound, had been competing at a high level before beating a strong field at Fairyhouse last month.
Formwatch
Any Second Now (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, pushed along 4 out, in touch in rear when slightly hampered 2 out, moderate 6th and ridden before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th close home, 4th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Busselton (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Slight lead until 5th, pressed leader, distracted by loose horse 8th, led again 4 out until 3 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened between last two, 5th of 15, 16 1/2l behind Le Milos (11-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Fire Attack (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Prominent, tracked leader in 2nd after 1st, slight mistake at 7th, on terms at 11th, headed before 12th where not fluent, soon 3rd, lost place after 13th, weakened and fell 4 out, at Listowel 3m hcp gd in Sep.
Hurricane Darwin (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Rear, moderate 10th after 3rd, effort and progress before 3 out, slight mistake in 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and switched right, left 2nd last where not fluent, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind From The Ashes (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Velvet Elvis (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led and disputed, definite advantage 5 out, extended lead to 2 lengths after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Fairyhouse 3m Yielding in Feb beating Minella Crooner (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.