UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

HORANTZAU D'AIRY has to overcome a long absence but it would be no surprise if he was good enough to win this on his return. The French-bred gelding made one start for Willie Mullins at Leopardstown over Christmas 2021 when chasing home Howyabud in a decent maiden hurdle which has worked out pretty well. He was a short price that day having won his only start on the Flat in his native land. Firm Footings has been knocking on the door and looks an obvious danger. The Walk In The Park gelding has been placed in his three outings over timber this season. Gordon Elliott also saddles point-to-point winner Zefiro Dodville and market moves for him would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Horantzau Dairy 2nd Firm Footings 3rd Zefiro Dodville

HO MY LORD was well supported on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but crashed out after just two flights. The Doctor Dino gelding had won his only start in his native France and can collect now in a weaker looking division of this maiden hurdle. Gordon Elliott saddles five in the race and Zettabyte may prove the pick. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding was runner-up in two point-to-points, losing out narrowly on both starts. The Philip Fenton-trained Bloomhill is a point-to-point winner that looks worth noting in the market.
Prediction : 1st Ho My Lord 2nd Zettabyte 3rd Bloomhill

A tricky contest and INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN may be able to give weight to his rivals dropping in class. The Walk In The Park gelding wasn't disgraced when finishing fourth in Grade 1 company at Naas last month and it's interesting that he drops back to two miles again having not quite seen out the almost two-and-a-half mile trip last time. The distance would be a worry for American Mike, who missed an intended engagement over two-miles-six at Leopardstown last weekend. The classy bumper performer won his maiden hurdle over that trip at Down Royal and though he has a touch of class this looks on the short side. Hunters Yarn was much better when winning at Naas last time but may still have to sharpen up his jumping a touch, up in grade now.
Prediction : 1st Inothewayurthinkin 2nd American Mike 3rd Hunters Yarn

SAINT SAM looks the pick at the weights here. The Saint des Saints gelding has already shown his well being this season with a good win at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and having a recent run under his belt may prove crucial. Blazing Khal was a highly progressive novice early last season when registering a couple of Grade 2 victories at Cheltenham towards the end of 2021. He has had his injury setbacks since and with a less than ideal prep it will be interesting to see how he fares now. Gordon Elliott has used this to give Tiger Roll a prep run in the past and Delta Work, winner of the cross-country at Cheltenham last season, takes the same route now. He could well pick up some prize-money here.
Prediction : 1st Saint Sam 2nd Blazing Khal 3rd Delta Work

It'll come as little surprise if something comes out of the woodwork in this big field, low grade handicap. GOLD HAVEN is one of the more obvious contenders and the five-year-old chestnut gets the nod with Danny Mullins booked to ride. She was just denied on her most recent visit to Proudstown Park and starts off now for Paul Flynn, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. Despite flopping badly at Leopardstown over Christmas, Arctic Ambition is given second preference. The eight-year-old will bid to exploit his lower hurdles mark and with Danny Gilligan (his first ride under National Hunt rules) taking a valuable 7lb off, he can be expected to go close. Top-weight Cave Court filled the runner-up spot on his handicap debut at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day and he'll be well-fancied to go a place better now. Dragon's Pass dead-heated at Fairyhouse last month and is sure to have plenty of supporters as she bids to defy a 6lb rise, while others for the shortlist in this competitive affair are Indie Belle (first time tongue-strap), Carrigeen Konini, Wa Wa and Legacy Of Dreams.
Prediction : 1st Gold Haven 2nd Arctic Ambition 3rd Cave Court

MAHLER MISSION impressed over the course and distance last month and he might be able to follow-up now. Successful at this level over flights, the John McConnell-trained seven-year-old is a leading contender for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month. He finished behind Must Be Obeyed when they clashed at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and that Tom Gibney trained mare reopposes now. The progressive Mustameet bay is given second preference, getting weight all round, as she bids to complete a hat-trick. Churchstonewarrior has filled the runner-up spot five times since his last success and while he is sure to prove popular with punters, he may have to settle for minor honours once again. Frontal Assault has tonnes of experience over fences and he should give a good account of himself, while Darrens Hope and Glengouly are others that warrant respect. The former disappointed in the Thyestes after being kept wide throughout, a tactic that mightn't have suited the Oscar bay.
Prediction : 1st Mahler Mission 2nd Must Be Obeyed 3rd Churchstonewarrior

Another ultra-competitive affair, where a case can be made for many of the 17 runners. BALLYKEEL lost little in defeat on his handicap debut at Down Royal last month and he might be able to go a place better now. The son of Presenting was beaten by just half-a-length at the Maze venue and he will again be ridden by Corey McGivern who claims a valuable 7lb. Sweet Will also filled the runner-up spot on his most recent start when bidding to complete a hat-trick. He went up 5lb for that effort but still looks nicely treated on a mark of 110. Handsworth was reportedly hampered when disappointing at Leopardstown over Christmas and he is given the chance to redeem himself. Temptationinmilan unseated in that same Leopardstown contest and he is well-capable of making his presence felt here. Brampton Belle, History Of Fashion and Galon De Vauzelle are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Ballykeel 2nd Sweet Will 3rd Handsworth

THE GUNNER YEATS significantly holds an entry in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month and if he is to take up that engagement, he'll need to be winning this. Successful in a point-to-point on his sole start for Ellen Doyle, he was subsequently sold for £310,000. The six-year-old belatedly makes his track debut now and is the choice of Patrick Mullins. Mullins has opted to partner the selection over Rule The Wind. This Walk In The Park gelding was a €100,000 purchase at the Tattersalls Derby Sale and is out of a half-sister to the brilliant Brave Inca, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares on debut. Firefox went down by just three-parts of a length at Naas before Christmas and pulled 26 lengths clear of the third. He undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him and he can be expected to go close. Any Road was unlucky at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and he should give a good account of himself, while others for the shortlist in this quality contest are point-to-point winners Fathom Two and Mint Boy, with the latter a half-brother to West Cork Wildway.
Prediction : 1st The Gunner Yeats 2nd Firefox 3rd Rule The Wind