UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

ANNIE EDSON TAYLOR showed enough on her initial outing over course and distance last month to suggest she can go two places better. The Mayson filly was slowly away and held up in rear during the early stages, before making significant late ground once the penny dropped. Well drawn on her second racecourse appearance, the Kevin Coleman-trained juvenile looks the one to be with. Bruce Lightning hasn't progressed from a very pleasing introduction at Cork back in May but perhaps dropping down in trip will play to his strengths. A rating of 78 should be good enough to at least see him fight out the finish. Southbank, a debutant representing leading connections is the potential unknown quantity in the race. It will be interesting to see if any market support arrives for the Acclamation colt.
Prediction : 1st Annie Edson Taylor 2nd Bruce Lightning 3rd Southbank

WEST OF WICHITA is worth another chance despite running well below par on handicap debut at the Curragh last time. Sent off favourite on that occasion, the Kevin Coleman-trained filly weakened inside the final furlong having hung left throughout. Back on a track where she ran one of her better races, when runner-up to a subsequent winner in a maiden, she can get off the mark. Calum Hogan has enough experience at this stage to be value taking off 10lb. Sanshiro, who finished a place ahead of the Coleman filly at the Curragh, could be capable of better in first-time cheekpieces. The Dandy Man gelding has shaped with a degree of promise in his maidens. Uncle Albert should be suited to dropping back to sprinting having only weakened late on over 7f at the Curragh on his most recent start.
Prediction : 1st West Of Wichita 2nd Sanshiro 3rd Uncle Albert

The John McConnell-trained STANHOPE could represent some value back at a track where he has excelled in the past. Now a nine-year-old, the gelding has won three times at this venue and finished runner-up on his most recent visit here in June. Testing ground should prove no hindrance to the Equiano colt who also has a potentially favourable high draw. Merisi Diamond has little to recommend him in terms of form but it interesting that the locally trained gelding has remained in training late into his four-year-old career, with connections securing the services of in-form apprentice Conor Stone-Walsh. Art Of Unity has been running consistently well of late so has to enter calculations on the back of another solid effort when runner-up at Bellewstown last week.
Prediction : 1st Stanhope 2nd Merisi Diamond 3rd Art Of Unity

HEAVENLY POWER is a speculative suggestion in a tight knit handicap where any number of contenders are capable of winning if at their best. The Eddie Lynam-trained gelding was slightly unlucky in running when fifth in the Scurry Handicap earlier in the season, form that stands out in the context of this race. Just denied back at the Curragh on his next outing, the five-year-old has been slightly disappointing on his two most recent starts. If back to his best, he has a class edge here. Real Force finished mid-division in a premier handicap last time, having won at Cork on his previous start. The six-year-old should make a bold bid under Conor Stone-Walsh. Wave Machine returned to form when successful at Down Royal last month. The visor she wore on that occasion is replaced by blinkers here.
Prediction : 1st Heavenly Power 2nd Real Force 3rd Wave Machine

A difficult contest to assess, with very little form to go on. Aidan O'Brien introduces two expensive yearling purchases, with Euphoric bought for 1.9 million guineas, while South Pole was knocked down for 650,000 guineas. Whatever happens here, they will both come on plenty for this initial experience. Ger Lyons is also double-handed, with Colin Keane opting to partner ROCKING TREE. The Teme Valley-owned bay improved from his debut effort at the Curragh to finish fourth at Punchestown on his most recent start and he can put his experience to good use now. Gavin Cromwell has done well with his juveniles this season and the County Meath handler is represented by Moutarde, who is an interesting contender on debut. Benvoy and Volto Di Medusa were fifth and sixth in their respective barrier trials at Dundalk last month, with the latter since down the field on his racecourse debut at Down Royal.
Prediction : 1st Rocking Tree 2nd Euphoric 3rd Moutarde

A case can be made for all 13 runners in this fiercely competitive affair. Bidding for a fourth win in a row and her fifth of the season, FRATAS gets the nod. The admirable chestnut battled gamely to beat Royal Eagle at Tramore on her latest start, with that rival successful over flights at Tipperary on Sunday. The selection will be ridden by the talented Wesley Joyce, who claims a valuable 7lb. Drop The Dip and Dumb Love were both successful at Bellewstown last week, with the hat-trick seeking former given second preference. He beat Perfect Poise by a neck at the County Meath venue and that reopposing Kodiac bay is likely to have plenty of supporters as she bids to reverse the form. Timeless Soul is the highest rated runner in the line-up and it'll be interesting to see how she fares, turned out again quickly after finishing an eye-catching third on Sunday. With four wins between them this season, Plume Noire and You Owe Me Money are other leading hopes.
Prediction : 1st Fratas 2nd Drop The Dip 3rd Perfect Poise

Aengus King has his horses in fine form of late, saddling two winners within the last fortnight. The County Clare handler is represented by TASMANIAN GIRL in this wide-open affair and the daughter of Australia looks capable of making an impact. A solid fifth on her penultimate start at Roscommon, she came in for some market support at Cork on Tuesday of last week, finishing a never nearer fourth of 18 behind Zephron. Upped in trip now to 10 furlongs, it'll be disappointing if she is not involved towards the business end. Secret Rock has won two of his last four and would be a worthy favourite, while Grann's Boy and Not Just Any Eagle are other obvious contenders, with the latter beaten by a nose at Gowran in July. Second and third respectively in this race 12 months ago, Gudrun Genberg and Noble Crusade both warrant respect, while Leabaland, Pollanassa and Game Notion are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Tasmanian Girl 2nd Secret Rock 3rd Not Just Any Eagle

Even more competitive than the opening divide. Successful in first time blinkers at the Curragh recently, Magic Charm should go close in his attempt to follow up, while course and distance winner Stay Local, top-weight Hello Power and Tim Doyle's Special Protector are other leading hopes. For a selection, it might be worth siding with LITTLE JO. A nine-time winner in the UK, he had no luck in running when a never nearer fourth at Galway last month. The Major Cadeaux nine-year-old has been given a chance by the handicapper and is down 10lb since making his debut here in July. John McConnell trains the selection and is also represented by Dinamine, who is not without his chance. Init Together, Lucky Question and Flier are a few more for the shortlist, with the latter beaten by just three-parts of a length over this course and distance on her penultimate start.
Prediction : 1st Little Jo 2nd Magic Charm 3rd Stay Local