UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

STELLAR STORY won a strong winners' bumper when last seen at Naas in February and can get off the mark on his hurdling debut. The Shantou gelding edged out Ile Atlantique by a head then and the runner-up advertised the form with a very impressive win on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park recently. His trainer Willie Mullins is represented by Dancing City and he's an obvious danger. The Feel Like Dancing gelding won a Wexford bumper before chasing home stablemate Ballyburn in a winners' contest at Punchestown. Again that form looks strong as he had recent Naas winner Slade Steel back in third that day. Beau Walking was backed like defeat was out of the question at Galway on his hurdling debut and a mistake two from home didn't help as he finished third to Waterford Whispers. He has to be respected as well.
Prediction : 1st Stellar Story 2nd Dancing City 3rd Beau Walking

ASK ANYTHING won well when taking an 'unplaced' maiden hurdle down in Limerick last month and doesn't look harshly treated here on his handicap debut. The Ask gelding got the job done in fine style, despite a mistake two from home, and there looks more to come. Sea Aster put a poor run at Punchestown behind her with a solid effort to finish fourth at Thurles early this month and looks capable of running a big race off her current mark. Mighty Jeremy was in fine form when last seen in the spring and the market may prove the best guide to his chances on his return.
Prediction : 1st Ask Anything 2nd Sea Aster 3rd Rodney Bay

THEONEWEDREAMOF may be suited to the return to a big galloping track here. Her sole win over timber came at Punchestown and she has just got into gear a bit late on a few occasions around tighter tracks. It was a good run to chase home El Champo at Galway last time and despite a 4lb rise she should be competitive. Irish Blaze has been running really consistently over fences and off a slightly lower mark back over timber he is entitled to be thereabouts again. It's interesting to see Rachael Blackmore stick with Kudasheva, who was slightly disappointing on her return at Tramore. The Pour Moi mare could be capable of better.
Prediction : 1st Theonewedreamof 2nd Irish Blaze 3rd Kudasheva

DEE CAPO impressed on his hurdling debut at Cork and can take the next step up the ladder here. The big Maxious gelding got the job done with the minimum of fuss then and although he did win a bumper in fine style at Galway he looks the type to make a better jumper. The danger looks to be the mare She's A Fine Wine, who likewise was impressive on her hurdling bow at Limerick last month. The Flemensfirth mare looked very smart on her first outing for Henry de Bromhead then and her allowance in this is a big help against the geldings. What's Up Darling should improve from his hurdling debut at Limerick and could bag a place.
Prediction : 1st Dee Capo 2nd Shes A Fine Wine 3rd Whats Up Darling

ZANAHIYR disappointed in last year's renewal but managed good results last term and is race-fit following a recent win. Last season early form was worryingly poor but later finished third to Constitution Hill in both the Champion and Aintree Hurdles and is again tried at this distance which - on his day, could suit him ideally. Cheltenham specialist and last season's Stayers Hurdle winner Sire Du Berlais won the 2020 renewal but was also well beaten last year. Despite being an 11-year-old, he was better than ever last season although now reappears under a big weight. Home By The Lee wasn't beaten far in the last two renewals of Cheltenham's Stayers Hurdle and while he won last year's renewal, has more on his plate under joint top-weight now. He defeated Bob Olinger last year and while Bob Olinger was once high-class, he needs to show some of his old sparkle. Andy Dufresne is held by the selection on recent form while Busselton has an uphill task.
Prediction : 1st Zanahiyr 2nd Sire Du Berlais 3rd Bob Olinger

Free-going DYSART DYNAMO was a smart novice last season and is held in high regard by his yard. He has had bruising encounters with Constitution Hill and El Fabiolo in his career but performed well in defeat on occasions and faces a slightly lesser task today, receiving weight from his principal rivals. Interestingly both he (in April 2022) and Captain Guinness (Tipperary in 2020) have returned from defibrillating heart-issues, with Captain Guinness proving better than ever last term finishing second in Cheltenham's Champion Chase. He beat Riviere D'etel to win last year's renewal by 1.5 lengths although is 3lb worse off. Riviere D'etel is enigmatic and has a tendency to jump right although is helped by being race-fit. Saint Roi is held by the selection on previous form and being a Grade 1 winner, carries a penalty.
Prediction : 1st Dysart Dynamo 2nd Captain Guinness 3rd Riviere Detel

FACILE VEGA was a top-class novice hurdler and has the potential to become a fine chaser. He met with two defeats last term, probably racing too quickly at Leopardstown and running well when second at Cheltenham, but confirmed his ability at Punchestown. Chasing has been the plan and he is exciting. Inthepocket is himself a Grade 1 winning hurdler who should also perform to a high level over fences. He defeated the selection 10 lengths when finishing second in that aforementioned Leopardstown race but was later beaten three lengths by him at Cheltenham. FACILE VEGA also put that Leopardstown form to bed, when comprehensively reversing placings with Il Etait Temps at Punchestown in April. Saint Felicien was a smart hurdler in 2021/22 and while he returns from a big layoff in a hot race, is just a six-year-old and can place. Sa Fureur was a Grade 3 winning hurdler but was pulled up at Cheltenham while Dreal Deal has chase experience but needs to improve.
Prediction : 1st Facile Vega 2nd Inthepocket 3rd Saint Felicien

APPLE'S OF BRESIL was well backed on debut at the Punchestown festival last April and showed promise. He was the only debutante in that hot bumper and while always in rear, raced green early in the home straight but finished in eye-catching fashion. That form is strong and he races for a new joint-owner. Tommies Call, out of Ascot Stakes winner Jennies Jewel, ran well on debut in a valuable Fairyhouse sales race in April. He conceded 5lb to that high-class winner and today's rider again claims 7lb. My Trump Card ran well on hurdles debut behind a promising winner at Navan last November and is open to vast improvement under today's 5lb claimer. Springt De La Mare, by the same sire as Allaho, won on point-to-point debut for Harley Dunne last April. That Necarne form is nothing special but he could be capable. Base Of Fire is a half-brother to four winners and could also be useful.
Prediction : 1st Apples Of Bresil 2nd Tommies Call 3rd My Trump Card