Noble Endeavor looks tasty in Troytown at Navan

Noble Endeavor ticks all the right boxes in Troytown Chase

The big betting race on Sunday is the 3m Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan (14.20) and Noble Endeavor looks to hold outstanding claims of landing the spoils.

Trained by in-form Irish handler Gordon Elliott, the gelding was a smart hurdler who finished a cracking head second of 21 to Killultagh Vic in the 2015 running of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 140.

After shaping with promise when placed in his first two starts over fences last season, Noble Endeavor opened his account over the larger obstacles with a comfortable 2 1/2 length success at Down Royal.

The seven-year-old then ran very well to finish a five length runner-up to Measureofmydreams in a Grade 2 at this venue and was six lengths down and still in contention when falling two from home in the 4m National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after being heavily backed.

Eye-catching prep run

Noble Endeavor was then clearly amiss when pulled-up on his final outing of the campaign in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival but put in a very eye-catching effort on return to action in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at this track earlier in the month.

After being held-up detached at the rear and seemingly never going to be a factor, he stayed on to be nearest at the finish and an 11 length fifth of seven to Snow Falcon.