Brave Troop
Brave Troop was impressive in winning the two-mile handicap hurdle at Navan on Sunday. Charles Byrnes' horse was settled back in the field from early by James Smith - as he had been when he won on his first run for his new trainer at Thurles three weeks earlier. The early pace was not strong, but Brave Troop made his ground gradually under his young rider. He travelled well into the home straight and, moved towards the outside between the final two flights, he joined the front rank on the run to the last, jumped the final obstacle well and stayed on strongly up the hill to come four lengths clear of his rivals by the time he got to the winning line.
The handicapper had raised Brave Troop by 16lb for his Thurles win, but he made light of his new mark of 111 on Sunday. He has been raised by 14lb for Sunday's win, to a mark of 125, but it is unlikely that that is his summit. Rated 87 at his peak on the flat, he is on an upward trajectory now over hurdles, now that he is settling through his races, and he could go higher still. The pace was not overly strong in Sunday's race, as evidenced by his finishing speed percentage of 109%, and he could do even better in a better race off a stronger pace. He is only five and this was just his sixth run over hurdles, he is on a lovely upward trajectory now, and he will be of interest if he is aimed at one of the top two-mile handicap hurdles now.
Navan, 15th December 2024
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