Navajo Indy showcased his potential as a rising star with a commanding victory in the Gerry Feilden Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at Newbury, and trainer Tom Symonds has set his sights on the Betfair Hurdle back at the same venue in February.
The five-year-old, ridden by Gavin Sheehan, overcame a mistake three hurdles from home to win decisively against a strong field that included Queens Gamble and other highly regarded runners. The performance followed a win at Bangor, which has since been franked by the runner-up, Gamesters Guy, securing an emphatic victory at Carlisle.
Symonds was delighted with Navajo Indy’s progression and his ability to perform at Newbury, where he has consistently excelled.
“It was a big ask for his handicap debut, but he knows Newbury well, and it’s a track that suits him,” Symonds said. “I thought his mark of 120 was lenient, though I expected it might show over a longer trip. But he handled the race brilliantly, settling well, jumping cleanly, and staying on strongly.”
Raised 8lb to a rating of 128, Navajo Indy remains a versatile contender, though Symonds is opting to keep him at two miles for now.
“He’s never put a hoof wrong, and his greatest asset is his ability to maintain a strong gallop. Newbury aids that type of performance,” Symonds explained. “While stepping him up on a trip is tempting, his turn of foot and stamina over two miles are key weapons we don’t want to lose.”
Symonds is now weighing the best path to the Betfair Hurdle on February 8. While the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in December is a possible target, its timing might come too soon. Instead, Navajo Indy could run in a lower-grade handicap over two miles before the big race at Newbury.
“In the Betfair, you’d hope for some older, high-quality entries to keep his weight manageable,” Symonds added. “Saturday’s performance was promising, and we’re excited to see how far he can go.”