The Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan is one of Ireland’s most competitive early-season handicap chases, drawing a mix of progressive second-season chasers and hardy campaigners.
Scheduled for Sunday, November 16th, 2025, this Grade 3 contest over three miles has always served as a vital crossroads for horses aiming for glory later in the jumps calendar – with form from Navan often pointing the way to both the Cheltenham and Aintree spring festivals.
This year, the antepost market is led by the promising Quai De Bourbon, with Will The Wise and Answer TO Kayf close behind.
The Troytown Handicap Chase: A Season Marker
Navan’s Troytown Chase isn’t merely another winter staying handicap; it’s a race where ambitious trainers try out their future big-race horses in a true test of class, stamina, and jumping precision.
The contest’s long history of producing festival performers means it’s closely watched by punters and racing fans alike for clues about the spring’s top handicaps and graded events.
With 4-year-olds and older horses eligible, the field combines up-and-coming talent with the experience of established chasers.
Because of its three-mile distance and competitive nature, the Troytown often reveals progressive types capable of going up in grade.
Horses who perform well here sometimes turn up as eye-catchers in the Ultima Handicap or Kim Muir at Cheltenham, or even the Grand National and Topham at Aintree.
Those races suit stayers willing to battle in big fields, and Navan’s undulating, galloping course provides a perfect prep for such subsequent assignments.
Antepost Market: Favourites Leading the Way
As of this week, betting firms have installed Quai De Bourbon as favourite for the Troytown.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, currently around 3/1 with leading bookmakers, has shown progressive form last season and his connections have targeted this race as a logical step up.
Mullins’ record in staying handicaps always demands respect, and Quai De Bourbon’s ability to see out a trip under pressure makes him a strong candidate, especially given that official entries are still speculative.
Will The Wise is the second favourite at around 4/1. Trained by Gavin Cromwell, Will The Wise put together some smart form last term, winning at fair tracks and proving his stamina in testing conditions.
He represents a younger profile, gaining support for his potential to improve further.
Answer To Kayf and Dunboyne are vying for third favourite and while both have had their share of moments in the sun, Dunboyne just edges it with his experience over longer distances, his ability to win on soft and heavy going and his overall chase experience.
Troytown Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Quai De Bourbon | 10/3 |
| Will The Wise | 4/1 |
| Answer To Kayf | 15/2 |
| Dunboyne | 8/1 |
| Sportinthepark | 10/1 |
| Search For Glory | 11/1 |
| Aspurofthemoment | 11/1 |
| Ballybawn Belter | 14/1 |
| Favori De Champdou | 18/1 |
| Yeah Man | 18/1 |
| Will Do | 18/1 |
| Union Station | 18/1 |
| Beaufort Scale | 20/1 |
| Fortunedefortunata | 22/1 |
| Pied Piper | 28/1 |
| A Wave Of The Sea | 33/1 |
| Velvet Elvis | 40/1 |
| Where It All Began | 40/1 |
| Prince Palace | 40/1 |
| No Time To Wait | 50/1 |
Potential Runners: Speculative But Intriguing
With the final entries due later in the week, antepost lists are speculative but highlight a range of talented chasers.
Besides the three market leaders, several other noteworthy names could line up at Navan, each bringing a distinct mix of form, experience, or unexposed talent.
Pied Piper (Gordon Elliott, 14/1): Smart hurdler-turned-chaser, recently back from a fruitful summer campaign.
Velvet Elvis (John C McConnell): Has shown resilience in tough races and would suit this stamina test.
Sportinthepark (Noel Meade): A progressive six-year-old who could be a lively outsider at double-figure odds.
Another intriguing entry could be Favori De Champdou who, though at longer odds, has posted fair efforts in big handicaps and retains potential for further improvement.
Horses like Union Station, Answer To Kayf, or Search For Glory will add depth, while last year’s place-getters and horses with previous course form, such as Dunboyne, deserve second looks from those searching for each-way value.
Trainers to Follow: Mullins, Elliott, Cromwell
Trainer form is always a key ingredient for Troytown success. Willie Mullins typically reserves a strong hand for Navan, though this time around he only has one runner in Quai De Bourbon.
Mullins’ horses are often primed for their seasonal debuts, and the yard has won this race previously with both plotted horses and those using the race as prep for bigger jumps targets.
Gordon Elliott, based locally and known for his powerful squad of staying chasers, fields seven runners including Better Days Ahead, Sportinthepark, and Search For Glory.
Elliott’s ability to ready horses for competitive handicaps is unmatched in Ireland, and punters will pay close attention to how his string is working in the days leading up to declarations.
Gavin Cromwell, meanwhile, has Will The Wise and three other prospects, and his stable has proved adept at bringing horses on for steps up in grade.
With heavy ground likely, Cromwell’s fit and versatile jumpers could have big chances.
Ground Conditions and Tactics
Navan typically provides soft to yielding conditions in November. This places a premium on stamina and efficient jumping technique.
Trainers may use this contest to test the water with horses whose festival targets are still being mapped out, relying on tactical rides to get the best out of both seasoned handicap winners and progressive second-season chasers.
The field is often large and competitive, so tactics from jockeys will be crucial. Many winners have come from just off the pace, saving energy until deep in the home straight before making their move.
Troytown Chase and the Festival Road
The outcome of the Troytown Handicap often shifts antepost markets for handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Connections may use a bold showing at Navan to plot future big-race campaigns, especially since Irish-trained horses have an excellent record in Britain’s spring festivals.
Progressive types stamped here are frequently noted for the Cheltenham handicaps, with bookmakers adjusting odds based on Troytown performances.
For racing fans and punters, the Troytown at Navan offers not just the thrill of a major Irish handicap, but also an invaluable pointer for the entire jumps season – a snapshot of future festival stars, tested in one of Ireland’s most respected staying contests.
BETFRED
