King's Claim To Be Key For Edvardo

Court Frontier did the business for us earlier, advised at 20/1 but returning at just 9/2. It was a big plunge, but from around two out it always looked like he was going to get there, and after pinging the last he surged clear for an 8L win. He really appreciated the return to soft ground, and it was a peach of a ride by Denis O'Regan.

David Harry Kelly is a shrewd operator.

Tomorrow's selection goes at Navan, and I think Edvardo could be primed to run a big race for David Harry Kelly. Pa King is a quality pilot, and his 5lb claim could prove to be invaluable at Navan. Edvardo, a 7yo son of Oscar, has won two and placed in two of 13 career starts, and the first of those wins came in this race last year off a mark of 82.

He proved that was no fluke with another win at Limerick off 91, and he ran a cracker to be 2nd at Fairyhouse on his penultimate run last season off 99. He ran an average race on his seasonal return at Navan last month, 7th of 22 beaten 27L off 102. He was again well beaten next time at Limerick off 101, but at least the handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds to a mark of 99.

That remains 8lb above his last winning rating, but it is the same mark off which he ran so well behind Killaro Boy at Fairyhouse. When you factor in King's claim he is effectively 5lb lower, and he is likely to have been trained with a repeat bid in this race in mind. I think odds of 18/1 are far too big, and he is well worth an each way bet at that price.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 2.45 NAVAN-EDVARDO E/W 18/1