Preview: Troytown Day at Navan

The Troytown Handicap Chase has often proved a pointer for big staying races of the future and is the highlight of a cracking seven-race card at Navan.

Won by Notre Pere last year, the Troytown is not lacking in quality this term, with Willie Mullins' duo of Beroni and Polmar likely to figure, while Operation Houdini is improving rapidly.

That said, they will all have to go some to beat Tom Taaffe's Treacle, who belied his relative inexperience to win the Munster National last time and could be capable of much more.

All six runners in the 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle have registered victories this season, but Judge Roy Bean has been arguably the most impressive.

The penny has finally dropped with Edward O'Grady's hurdler and he looked the part over course and distance last time.

That Grade Three win means he shoulders a penalty in this, which could allow fellow hat-trick seekers Darceys Dancer and For The Staff to take advantage.

The meeting kicks off at 12.20 with the Athlumney 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle, in which Christy Roche's Sword Fish will be out to go one better than his recent Down Royal second.

Fearnwood Girl should put up strong resistance, while Save My Blushes can't be ruled out either.

Roche takes the wraps off the well-bred Take A Stroll in the Navan Ford EBF Maiden Hurdle, but a lack of race experience may mean he has to give best to The Kings Sword and Hughies Grey.

Mullins has an embarrassment of riches in his yard and the well-touted Sports Line takes his first tentative steps on a season that could lead to Cheltenham in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Touted as a potential Arkle horse, the six-year-old could be too strong for Tony Martin's classy Psycho and recent Punchestown winner Qualviro.