Boyne Hurdle Preview - 'The appalling ground conditions won't bother him at all' Ground conditions are set to be very testing at Navan on Sunday for their seven-race card and that’s probably going to be one of the most decisive form factors to consider. There are a couple of Grade 2 races on the card, one of which is the Ten Up Novice Chase, and the other is the Boyne Hurdle, which has been won by the likes of Dorans Pride, Limestone Lad, War Of Attrition and Tiger Roll. A field of six has been declared and our expert has previewed the race, taking a look at some of the trends, recent form and the potential implications for Cheltenham. The runners Hiddenvalley Lake is a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and he’s the one they all have to beat, but he is making his first appearance of the season, meaning fitness is a potential concern, while trainer Henry de Bromhead is winless in the last fortnight. This looks like a fact finding mission for Irancy and his profile now looks similar to that of the regressive Mystical Power. He’s been very poor in two starts this season and the new trip needs to inspire a significant amount of improvement. Colonel Mustard is a consistent performer and already has a couple of wins to his name this season but may struggle with the ground, while Maxxum has been well beaten in two starts this season and it looks like a return to handicaps would help him. Better Days Ahead returns to hurdles for the first time since finishing third in a Grade 1 novice at the 2024 Punchestown Festival and might need the run, having not been seen since April. Gordon Elliott’s Staffordshire Knot has been progressive over hurdles this season and he finished second in the Galmoy Hurdle last time out. He appears to have every chance on that form and the appalling ground conditions won’t bother him at all. Key things to note It’s not too often that you find a graded race in Ireland in which Willie Mullins doesn’t have the best recent record in. In fact, Mullins hasn’t trained the winner of this race since On His Own claimed victory back in 2013. Gordon Elliott and Noel Meade are the joint-leading trainers for this race, with five winners apiece, and only the former is represented this time around. The County Meath-based trainer saddles three of the six runners and Jack Kennedy rides Staffordshire Knot. Recent history suggests this isn’t a race for veterans, as the oldest winner in the last decade was nine. Interestingly, six and seven-year-olds have the best records but the youngest runners in the field are eight. Colonel Mustard is the sole veteran at 11-years-old. Heavy ground form will hold significance Conditions are going to be horrible if racing goes ahead at Navan and proven form on heavy ground can provide a serious advantage. Colonel Mustard, Maxxum and Irancy have never won on heavy ground and means they have a bit to prove. Staffordshire Knot has the best record on heavy ground, winning two of his three starts, and his defeat in the Galmoy Hurdle came by a narrow margin. Better Days Ahead won the Martin Pipe at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival on heavy, while Hiddenvalley Lake won this very race in similar conditions back in 2024. Will the winner be Cheltenham-bound? Honesty Policy was entered in this race but hasn’t been declared, which is a bit of a blow, and it therefore seems unlikely that the Stayers’ Hurdle winner is in the field. That being said, Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake did win the Liverpool Hurdle in April. The same owner also has Teahupoo and Bob Olinger for Cheltenham and there’s a strong possibility that connections could hold fire and wait for Aintree once again. Staffordshire Knot and Better Days Ahead could run in a handicap but they probably won’t be Grade 1 types.
