Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva stayed on well to take third place in the two-mile-six-furlong handicap hurdle at Navan last Sunday.  Settled in midfield early on in a well-stacked-up field, he travelled well into the home straight for Davy Russell. Just behind the front rank jumping the third last flight, he moved towards the outside just behind his stable companion and ultimate winner Jungle Prose on the run to the second last and, while he came under pressure at that point, he responded well, he picked up nicely to move into third place, and he kept on up the run-in to get to within two lengths of the impressive winner by the time he got to the winning line.

Winner of his maiden hurdle over two miles at Navan last March, this was a nice return to action by Gordon Elliott’s horse, his first run since he was pulled up in a novices’ handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse last April. Available at big prices in the morning, he was sent off at no bigger than 9/1, and he justified that support in putting up a fine performance. The handicapper raised him by just 3lb to a mark of 120, and that was fair, he is only five and this was just his sixth run over hurdles, so he has plenty of scope for progression. Out of a half-sister to Irish Grand National winner Point Barrow, he could do better with a stronger pace too, or with a step up in trip and, as such, he would be of interest if he took his chance in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival and/or the one at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Navan, 27^th November 2022