UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

COMO PARK was a useful sort on the Flat for Joseph O'Brien winning twice over 1m5f, a maiden at Leopardstown on a sound surface and a Down Royal handicap off a mark of 82 with some ease in the ground. He's sure to be well schooled for this hurdling debut. Winterscape had He Picked Us about ten lengths behind, with another few of these rivals further adrift, when keeping on nicely in third behind Gordons Aura at Fairyhouse last month. Media Naranja won on her only start on the Flat in France and only dropped away in the closing stages when fourth to Sinbad Le Marin in a Gowran maiden hurdle a fortnight ago. Samadabad also won on the Flat in France.
Prediction : 1st Como Park 2nd Media Naranja 3rd Winterscape

CASH THE CHEQUE has strong claims in this mares' maiden hurdle. This Soldier Of Fortune mare showed up well in bumpers as she won in Sligo and finished runner-up in both Cork and Down Royal (by a short head). She was beaten 12 lengths into second in a mares' maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month. There is merit in that run, though, as the horse that beat her is among the market leaders for the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Cash The Cheque will relish this drying ground. Broomfield Bijou has faced tough tasks in mares' maiden hurdles won by more than useful sorts. She ought to be a factor in this company. Chautuaqua holds a rating of 104 and has shown enough to get involved in the distribution of prize money. A hood and tongue-strap are tried on her. Charity Barnum was a market drifter over C&D last month before finishing fifth. She can improve upon that effort.
Prediction : 1st Cash The Cheque 2nd Broomfield Bijou 3rd Chautuaqua

MUSIC OF TARA was well backed for a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and ran on well for third place. She had two subsequent winners behind her that day and encounters the same trip here. Unanswered could make no impression when well behind Music Of Tara at Leopardstown, but his best form is on better ground which he is due to get here. He certainly knows where the winning post is with five career victories. Prince Zaltar has been mixing chasing and hurdling in recent times, but has a shot after keeping on for fourth over this trip in Fairyhouse. Mylestown Upper hasn't been seen since winning a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle by a nose in April 2021. He's in good hands, though, so a market check is advised. Coolmeen Park, Justicialism, New Ross and Aurora Princess will have their supporters in this massive field.
Prediction : 1st Music Of Tara 2nd Unanswered 3rd Prince Zaltar

This looks a good opportunity for JIMMY CHOU PECOS AA. The form of his fifth in a Navan bumper almost a year ago has been well franked and he returned from an absence of more than nine months to post a solid second on hurdling debut at Down Royal over Christmas, when only headed in the final 100 yards. Western Walk hasn't been seen since May 2022 and has switched stables from Gavin Cromwell to Jonathan Sweeney. She picked up plenty of place money between March and May last year, so has prospects of being well involved. This is easier than the maiden hurdle Cozone finished towards the rear of at Leopardstown over Christmas. The Gordon Elliott pair of Ebenezer Scrooge and Fantasio D'alene (who is returning off a long absence) have a shot at prize money.
Prediction : 1st Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa 2nd Western Walk 3rd Cozone

A tricky race. The way HOLLOW GAMES won his beginners' chase over 2m1f at this track in November sticks in the memory. He was then pitched into Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas where he just didn't appear to put his best foot forward in coming home fourth. Back at Navan, where he is two from two (including in a Grade 3 novice hurdle), and on decent ground that he has won on, he could readily bounce back. Willie Mullins fields two representatives and they both have to be respected. Flame Bearer won a beginners' chase by 38 lengths in Fairyhouse before finishing unplaced in a red-hot Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival. He is a big player. Ha D'or was an easy winner of a rated novice chase in Fairyhouse. His jockey reported that he stopped quickly in a subsequent Grade 3 at Punchestown. He is likely to do better. Barnacullia and Indiana Jones are not without hope.
Prediction : 1st Hollow Games 2nd Flame Bearer 3rd Ha DOr

THE ECHO BOY has been lightly raced since winning the Connacht National at Roscommon in 2021 but did run encouragingly over C&D last month. The selection only weakened in the closing stages and should be spot on following that run while the yard also sent out a winner at Clonmel on Thursday. Sir Bob is an obvious threat and is on a hat-trick after wins at Punchestown and Limerick over similar trips. Charlie Stout's second to Stumptown has been well advertised since but this trip may stretch his stamina, while Difficult Decision won well at the Limerick Christmas meeting. Milan Native has shown little since sent off one of the leading fancies for the Ultima at Cheltenham last March, while Diegos Way comes here in good form but is 10lb out of the handicap proper.
Prediction : 1st The Echo Boy 2nd Sir Bob 3rd Charlie Stout

BONNIE KELLIE has progressed well over fences this term winning in good style over 2m2f at the Limerick Christmas meeting and finishing in the money on both outings since. Sam Curling's charge also has form over this trip and remains on a competitive mark. Shes Some Doll has been let down by her jumping but wasn't beaten far when putting in a clear round at Fairyhouse last time. Echoes Of Family has been lightly raced since winning a similar event at last year's Fairyhouse Easter meeting while Motown Maggie takes a drop in class after finding Listed company a bit too hot at Thurles last month. Ena Baie hasn't shown much over fences but has a favourable mark compared to her hurdle rating.
Prediction : 1st Bonnie Kellie 2nd Shes Some Doll 3rd Motown Maggie