Gate open for return to Cheltenham after Navan success

James’s Gate could have another Cheltenham Festival trip on his agenda after he overcame a final hurdle mistake to claim an eyecatching victory at Navan.

Third in the Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park back in 2022, he was off the track for the best part of two years before having two novice hurdle runs last term, notably finishing third to Mystical Power in the Moscow Flyer.

He returned from another 331-day absence with victory at Punchestown before Christmas and was sent off a 3-1 chance for the Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle.

The eight-year-old travelled well throughout for jockey Mark Walsh and it looked a matter of how far as he approached the last flight, but while he jumped the obstacle cleanly, his landing was awkward and he lost all momentum.

That allowed C’est Ta Chance to take the lead but once Walsh had James’s Gate back on an even keel, he rallied on the run to the line to win by three-quarters of a length.

Trainer Martin Brassil will consider the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, for which James’s Gate is now a 12-1 shot with Paddy Power, although the novice heats are not completely ruled out.

He said: “He seemed to jump the hurdle perfectly but landed on his hind ones first, awkwardly.

“He jumped really well, it was the only hurdle that was any bit of a blip. We are very pleased with him.

“He’s a good traveller. He was a classy horse in his bumpers – third in a Cheltenham bumper and that was only his second run. He’s a horse with a bit of class.

“We might enter him for probably a Coral Cup or maybe even one of the novice races, we’ll see how he is.”

Gordon Elliott has high hopes for Three Card Brag after he broke his duck over fences at the fifth time of asking in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase.

Out of luck in his initial novice season, Three Card Brag finally enjoyed his day in the sun as the 3-1 shot came home nearly three lengths clear of Kinturk Kalanisi under Danny Gilligan as part of a four-timer for the trainer.

Three Card Brag was cut to 14-1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but Elliott is favouring a staying route, although prospective Randox Grand National hopes are required to have run six times over fences.

He said: “I’m very happy with him. He’s a good horse on his day. He’s had a few niggly problems and just a few things didn’t work out for him.

“I imagine we will probably head straight on for an English National. I’m not saying he won’t (have a run before), but I won’t kill him – I might go there fresh.

“He’s a good, staying horse and he’s always a good jumper.

“It is grand he put his head in front today. He had every chance to fold the whole way up the line and he galloped the whole way.”

Music Of Tara (12-1) also has a British target in her sights after winning the Navan Handicap Hurdle for Elliott and jockey Sam Ewing.

Previously trained by Henry de Bromhead, Music Of Tara made a perfect start for her new team as she swept past Blaze The Way and favourite Thecompanysergeant to win by a length and a quarter.

Music Of Tara’s last five starts had come over fences and Elliott is planning a return to the larger obstacles in Huntingdon’s Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase on February 6.

He said: “John Flood from Boardsmill Stud would be a very good friend of mine. He bought her to breed from. He said he would give her a chance and see how she goes.

“She will mix chasing and hurdling.

“There is a race in England in three weeks’ time at Huntingdon that we are going to go for – a mares’ Listed chase.”

Jacob’s Ladder (6-1) had initiated Elliott’s four-timer and Ewing’s double when edging out Forty Coats in the NavanRacecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle, while Spinningayarn (100-30) was the trainer’s final winner of the day in the Racing Again February 9th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.