UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

SMOOTH PLAYER ran a nice race to finish fourth at Naas and can step forward to open his account now. The Getaway gelding was found to be clinically abnormal when pulling up at Down Royal previously and it was a much more encouraging effort last month. He had been behind Facile Vega and The Nice Guy on previous runs so has some solid form. The 121-rated Fameaftertheglory is becoming a touch frustrating, but has to be respected here. He was collared after a mistake at the last at Punchestown and has plenty of solid placed form. Fergal Hand had a winner here last week and his Walter Grey could have place prospects after a couple of nice runs over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Smooth Player 2nd Fameaftertheglory 3rd Walter Grey

This looks like a nice opportunity for LITTLE MIXUP to bag another win after his convincing success at Naas just under two weeks ago. The Shirocco gelding pulled away in good style then to score by five lengths, despite a big drift in the market. Mark McDonagh takes a couple of pounds off his back now in this opportunity event. A couple down towards the bottom may prove the dangers. Future Proof ran well at a big price when third to Port Rashid at Thurles and has slipped to a nice mark. Astrophysicist also ran well when third over in Hereford last month and looks another obvious one for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Little Mixup 2nd Future Proof 3rd Astrophysicist

LANDRAKE was running a big race back at the minimum trip when tipping up three from home here in January. He had previously been a good winner over two and a half at Fairyhouse and should be better suited by going up in trip. The handicapper has him on a mark of 135 and that sets a fair standard. Paul Marvel is the unexposed horse in the field and has to rank as a danger. The Masked Marvel gelding looked a nice prospect when scoring on his debut at Limerick in late January. He faces a tougher task now, though. Eye Van is a solid sort and ran well when third in novice company last time. He could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Landrake 2nd Paul Marvel 3rd Eye Van

ANY SECOND NOW is the one to beat at the weights. Last year's Grand National runner-up is on course for another tilt at the Aintree showpiece and this looks a nice warm-up. The Oscar gelding ran well over this trip when chasing home Saint Sam over timber on New Year's Eve and has a touch of class. He is versatile trip-wise having won this race a couple of years ago when it was run over two miles. Velvet Elvis is another National hope having a spin over shorter, and comes into the race off the back of a good win at Fairyhouse. He has to be respected, but may not have the same gears as Any Second Now. Darver Star hasn't quite shown the same level over fences that he has over hurdles, but can't be discounted in a small field. Kerry National winner Busselton is another who has to be given consideration on his return from a short break.
Prediction : 1st Any Second Now 2nd Velvet Elvis 3rd Darver Star

YEAH MAN is an interesting one here, tried back over fences. The Westerner gelding came good over timber when scoring in Thurles last month and could be nicely treated off a mark of 114 over the larger obstacles. He benefited from a step up in trip last time and still looks unexposed. Slip Of The Tongue has run a couple of nice races lately and Aidan Kelly takes a useful 7lb off his back. He is another open to improvement. A lot of these are taking a step up in trip and Percy Warner, a point-to-point winner, is another who has been running well and has the potential to blossom now going a bit further.
Prediction : 1st Yeah Man 2nd Slip Of The Tongue 3rd Percy Warner

TRUCKERS ANGEL came good over hurdles at Clonmel last time and may be able to follow up now over fences. The Fame And Glory mare is a former point-to-point winner and is making her chasing debut off her hurdles mark. John Shinnick takes 7lb off her back, leaving her with a feather weight. Pats Choice makes his first start in handicap company over fences after a couple of fair efforts in beginners' chases, and he could be a danger off a mark 4lb lower than his hurdles rating. Know The Game has some solid handicap form in the book already and is entitled to be on the shortlist for this.
Prediction : 1st Truckers Angel 2nd Pats Choice 3rd Know The Game

JOSHUA DES FLOS has produced a couple of solid efforts in his two starts to date and could prove hard to beat now. The Joshua Tree gelding chased home Ballybawn Belter on his debut last season before finishing third to Absolute Notions on his hurdling bow, and first start for Joseph O'Brien, at Punchestown in November. This looks like a nice opportunity for him to open his account. A couple of point-to-point recruits could be the dangers. Farren Glory makes his first start for Gordon Elliott. He was second at Turtulla in November and the winner has franked that form with two wins since. The Paul Nolan-trained He's My Hero was runner-up on his sole outing at Dromahane last April and the market may prove the best guide to his chances.
Prediction : 1st Joshua Des Flos 2nd Farren Glory 3rd Hes My Hero