UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

GENERAL ASSEMBLY is held in good regard by connections and may be sharp enough to make a winning debut. The Ger Lyons-trained son of Starspangledbanner, whose dam won as a juvenile, cost 130,000 guineas as a yearling. Aidan O'Brien's two-year-old team have made a big impact already this season and the Ballydoyle maestro is represented by Battle Cry (by No Nay Never) and Battle Fleet. The latter cost 210,000 at Arqana last October and is a Siyouni brother to a Listed-placed juvenile winner in France. Zelestial and Givemethebeatboys are other newcomers to consider, while Jalaybee has shown promise on both starts including when runner-up to Democracy on testing ground at the Curragh.
Prediction : 1st General Assembly 2nd Battle Fleet 3rd Zelestial

INTHEPOORHOUSE shaped well on his handicap debut at Galway last autumn and again ran well on soft ground at the Curragh last time. The selection didn't enjoy the clearest of passages but still made the frame in the 23-runner event won by Midnight Fire last month. Pretty Boy Floyd has dropped down in the ratings and advertised his claims when just denied by Run Forrest Run in a blanket finish at the Curragh earlier this month. Conversant acts well on soft ground and comes here in good form having beaten Catherine Chroi at Sligo recently with Darcy's Rock only weakening in the closing stages to finish fourth. Art Of Unity has dropped considerably in the ratings since winning twice here in 2021 while recent Cork winner Purring Along is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Inthepoorhouse 2nd Pretty Boy Floyd 3rd Darcys Rock

The sprint maiden won by Amazon Lady at Tipperary last month looks a key piece of form with a number from that five-furlong event renewing rivalry. PARTING GLASS raced alone on the far side when finishing second and is taken to confirm places with Heartrate and Daisy Jones who were close up in fourth and fifth respectively. The selection looks sure to benefit from that experience and his yard has been in decent form in recent weeks. Daisy Jones also handled soft ground when narrowly denied in a 22-runner maiden at the Curragh last autumn. Zaragoza cost 200,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale and is a half-brother to three winners while Ferrari Desert is another newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Parting Glass 2nd Daisy Jones 3rd Zaragoza

MICKEY THE STEEL looks dangerous with Wayne Hassett taking 10lb off his back. He ran well when closing in second at Naas in March under another 10lb claimer. He took the honours over C&D in October. Curraheen Princess has a brilliant record in Navan since switching to Nicky Stokes. Her form figures read '1121'. She is making her first start of the season and is more than adept on slow ground. Eddie Lynam's Jon Riggens is coming to himself after two runs this season and is capable of getting involved. His stablemate, Heavenly Power, clearly enjoys cut in the ground and signed off the last campaign by beating a massive field in a sprint handicap at the Curragh. Screen Siren, Rough Diamond and Loveday have chances. Only Spoofing has won the last two renewals of this race, but hasn't been as effective off a higher mark this season.
Prediction : 1st Mickey The Steel 2nd Curraheen Princess 3rd Jon Riggens

A very tricky race. Joseph O'Brien's NURBURGRING has the advantage of being proven over this staying trip. He upset an odds-on favourite over C&D last month when drawing more than four lengths clear. The Leopardstown maiden that Peking Opera won at the end of last season has thrown up plenty of winners. This Galileo colt is an obvious danger from the champion trainer's stable. Nurburgring's stablemate, St Vincents Garden, was an eye-catcher in Leopardstown last weekend. The penny dropped and he finished very well to get up for third without threatening the leaders. The step up in trip should be ideal based on that effort. Covent Garden, in first-time blinkers, Etna Rosso and Serious Challenge add more to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Nurburgring 2nd Peking Opera 3rd St Vincents Garden

STRIKING put in a strong-staying performance to win in Gowran Park and could go in again. He attracted plenty of support and was value for more than the victory margin of a length and a half. Red Vermillion was backed at big prices in the same race and finished third. She is well in the hunt for more prize money. Bolero ran creditably in second over a similar trip at Gowran Park on Wednesday. She has now been placed on her last four outings including when runner-up over 1m6f at this track in October. A visor is tried on her. French Company, Lariat and Indulging all have a shot at prize money.
Prediction : 1st Striking 2nd Red Vermillion 3rd Bolero

The 89-rated VALIANT KING has shown more than enough to land a maiden for Joseph O'Brien. He's had three outings and showed definite promise in third at Killarney and fourth in the Curragh before just losing out by a short head over this trip at Leopardstown last month. He holds a Group 2 entry for Royal Ascot and also has an Irish Derby entry. Justify colt City Of Chicago is a half-brother to a Group 2 winner and represents powerful connections. He falls into the 'could be anything' category ahead of his debut. Squire Danagher holds big-race entries and could improve on his third start. Cormac T showed up well in third at Gowran Park last month. O'Brien takes the wraps off Australia colt Sullivan Bay who is worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Valiant King 2nd City Of Chicago 3rd Squire Danagher