UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

There should be more to come from MOSALA, particularly on this better ground. He reached a mark of 93 on the Flat courtesy of a couple of victories, including a premier handicap at Leopardstown. He has had one previous crack at hurdling on soft to heavy ground at Cork where he fell once headed two out. Kilbeggan bumper winner Old Bill Barley has been beaten into third in a couple of maiden hurdles and connections will see this as a good opportunity for him. Pats Choice is bidding to snap a run of five runner-up berths in a row (four in maiden hurdles). Estepona Sun has plenty of experience to call upon in this discipline.
Prediction : 1st Mosala 2nd Old Bill Barley 3rd Pats Choice

HIGH CITY ROLLER brings a strong level of form to this contest. He is a former Limerick bumper winner who was just held by a short head on hurdling debut at Wexford last month. He was then a close third over further in Kilbeggan. He gets a first-time tongue-strap. Nonbinding was brought down at the first in an incident-packed maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in August. Prior to that, he didn't land a glove on an odds-on favourite in second at Ballinrobe. He looks one of the more likely contenders at the business end, though. His stablemate Ginnets Girl has a bumper success in her locker and didn't run badly at all in fifth on hurdling debut at Down Royal. Harel Du Marais looks best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st High City Roller 2nd Nonbinding 3rd Ginnets Girl

SWELLTIME has plenty in his favour. He clearly enjoys this track as he won a recent Flat handicap here before finishing runner-up in another staying handicap a fortnight ago. He has posted two victories over flights, including by a wide margin at Kilbeggan in July. He has Jody Townend's assistance in this race, which is a shrewd booking. Nibiru's fifth place in an 80,000-euro handicap hurdle at Galway reads well in the context of this race. It is worth noting that he was beaten half a length into second in this race last year. Again, Maxine O'Sullivan is a good booking. Tullypole Annie is a threat based upon her comprehensive victory at Ballinrobe and her second in a valuable mares' handicap hurdle in Galway. Daisy Dufresne has a lovely light weight and is likely to give Sarah Kavanagh a good spin.
Prediction : 1st Swelltime 2nd Nibiru 3rd Tullypole Annie

STRIKEBACK is relatively unexposed over flights and could make the breakthrough. On his last start over hurdles, he kept on for third in Sligo. Since then, he has had a spin on the Flat and again put in plenty of late work at Clonmel. This ground should be ideal for him and Mike O'Connor's 5lb claim puts him on a handy mark. Peace Party has to bounce back from a below-par effort in Down Royal, but that is possible as this is a drop in class. He knows how to pick up prize money. Makfils disappointed in Down Royal, but solid efforts before that give him claims. Virtual Oscar is a handicap debutant worth keeping an eye on in the market after showing some ability in maiden hurdles. Y Fyn Duw A Fydd has finished fourth in her last three races and has prospects of lifting another cheque.
Prediction : 1st Strikeback 2nd Peace Party 3rd Makfils

The form of RIAAN's fourth place on debut at Galway has been very well franked. Gordon Elliott's charge stayed on without threatening over an extended 2m, but closer scrutiny of the race is very revealing. The horses around him in second, third and fifth all landed maiden hurdles on their next outings. Gold Cup Bailly is back in action after being off since December. His runner-up spot behind Ahoy Senor in a maiden hurdle over a similar trip at Ayr in March last year is very notable form. This would be the quickest ground he has raced on, though. Royal Romeo is up in trip after a couple of second places over an extended 2m at Cork and Galway. Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time. Rodney Bay and Carrig Rock are others with a shot at prize money.
Prediction : 1st Riaan 2nd Gold Cup Bailly 3rd Royal Romeo

BUGS MORAN signed off last season with excellent efforts in Grade B handicap hurdles and can return with a victory. In April, he won at Fairyhouse and was runner-up in a 25-runner contest at Punchestown. He is proven over further and will like this ground. Gordon Elliott has won four of the last seven renewals of this race and is double-handed. The Friday Man is race-fit and has landed three of his last four races. His third place in a Galway novice hurdle has been boosted by subsequent winners from that race. He is likely to take a bit of beating. Elliott's Mars Harper has been keeping some very good company over flights and should enjoy this assignment.
Prediction : 1st Bugs Moran 2nd The Friday Man 3rd Mars Harper

Competitive for the grade. Patient races have been ridden on FLOREY SPUD and he has been coming home well to finish second in his last couple of outings at Wexford. He wouldn't need to find much more to make the breakthrough. The stiff finish could play to his strengths. Grozni put in an improved display when third at Kilbeggan and looks dangerous with Philip Byrnes claiming 7lb. Gondor has to be respected on the back of a runner-up berth over further in Ballinrobe. There is more to come from No Thanks over hurdles, particularly after a fair effort in third in a qualified riders' handicap on the Flat at Bellewstown last month. A Different World is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Florey Spud 2nd Grozni 3rd Gondor

DUNCREEVAN has run well in three bumpers to date. Absent for 498 days prior to returning at Ballinrobe in July, he bumped into a capable winner at Bellewstown last month and is suited by a sound surface. Six-year-old Champagne Fame, a half-sister to a bumper winner, ran well when second in a Killarney winners' bumper in July, being sandwiched by previous winners. The third-placed horse subsequently won over hurdles although Champagne Fame now lacks a recent outing. Nottodaybobo has shown consistent form in summer bumpers at Killarney,
Prediction : 1st Duncreevan 2nd Champagne Fame 3rd Nottodaybobo