UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

The Gordon Elliott-trained KALA CONTI looks the pick of her stable's three representatives here. Winner of her only start over hurdles in her native France, the daughter of Karaktar appears to have been found a nice opportunity on her first run in this country. Stablemate Casheldale Lad caused a 33/1 upset when winning his only start to date when successful on his Flat debut for previous connections. Subsequently sold to go hurdling, as a half-brother to a black-type placed filly over jumps, he definitely has the pedigree. Roboreti catches the eye in the colours of legendary flat trainer Kevin Prendergast. Unraced to date, the very fact the son of Gleneagles has been sent out to Cullentra House to begin his career over hurdles suggests he must have been showing something at home.
Prediction : 1st Kala Conti 2nd Casheldale Lad 3rd Roboreti

It is hard to get away from the Willie Mullins-trained PAGGANE on her first start over hurdles. Formerly trained in France, the four-year-old won the last of her three runs on the flat when successful at Morlaix in June 2022. Despite being absent since then, that is never a worry with runners from her stable. Magic Dawn made a pleasing debut for previous connections at Fairyhouse in December before improving to win a decent contest at Punchestown subsequently. Although disappointing on her only run for Gordon Elliott, the daughter of Doyen had her excuses. Bioluminescence was a beaten favourite on her only start under Rules to date, but the former point-to-point winner showed enough to suggest she can regain the winning thread shortly.
Prediction : 1st Paggane 2nd Magic Dawn 3rd Bioluminescence

IN FOR THE NIGHT, runner-up at this venue on his penultimate start, may be able to shed his maiden status. While the Desmond McDonogh-trained five-year-old failed to back that effort up when only seventh at Downpatrick last time, it usually pays to forgive a horse a below-par run at that unique track. With the Henry De Bromhead stable firing on all cylinders at present, recent Clonmel second Freddie Robdal has to be considered. Although that latter placed effort came over fences, the gelding is lightly raced over flights and can compete off a 4lb lower mark. Falvio showed ability for trainer Tony Martin last season without managing to get his head in front. A dual winner on the flat, he was never going to stay 3m, so his recent debut for new connections is readily forgiven.
Prediction : 1st In For The Night 2nd Freddie Robdal 3rd Falvio

Second season novice SEARCH FOR GLORY can show that his education last term wasn't wasted on him. Gordon Elliott's six-year-old won his first two starts in a point-to-point and bumper respectively, before switching to hurdles after Christmas. After a fair third in a well contested maiden at Leopardstown, he subsequently attained a similar placing in a Grade 3 at Clonmel. Runs at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals were arguably a year too soon, but he benefited from those experiences to make a winning reappearance at Galway. Stablemate Croke Park, a point-to-point winner who got off the mark over flights at Clonmel recently, rates the biggest threat. Pinyon Jay can complete the clean sweep for the Elliott team by chasing them home in third.
Prediction : 1st Search For Glory 2nd Croke Park 3rd Pinyon Jay

SLANE HILL makes his seasonal reappearance reverting to hurdles but likes soft ground and is rated 7lb lower in this sphere than over fences. He was progressive last winter until a February disappointment, but returned to win a Kilbeggan beginners' chase when upped in trip and remains a fraction unexposed at staying distances over hurdles. Gortmillish is race-fit, stays well and is in-form but might ideally prefer a sound surface while lightly-weighted stablemate Arctic Ambition is also suited by good ground and disappointed at Cheltenham last month. Another stablemate Jumping Jet ran well under a 7lb claimer at Punchestown in June but isn't first-string. Miss Tempo, who chased home high-class Love Envoi in a 2021 bumper, pulled up at the Galway festival but returns from a break.
Prediction : 1st Slane Hill 2nd Gortmillish 3rd Arctic Ambition

Gordon Elliott looks set to run a record 15 horses in one race here and perhaps his GEVREY can win. Initially largely untested over staying distances, he improved to finish second in April's Irish National and while 8lb higher than when winning the recent Munster National, might continue to progress. He beat Largy Debut and stablemate Coko Beach into second and third respectively at Limerick. Ain't That A Shame finished second to last year's winner The Big Dog in the 2022 Munster National, is closely matched with Macs Charm on Gowran-form last March and might improve from his Kerry National reappearance run. Run Wild Fred finished fifth to the selection in the recent Munster National and having won the 2021 renewal of this race as a novice, is clearly suited by conditions. Thedevilscoachman was pulled up in April's Irish National but is a smart type on his day and stays this distance. Limerick Lace has more on her plate than when winning at Clonmel but is ridden by a 5lb claimer.
Prediction : 1st Gevrey 2nd Aint That A Shame 3rd Macs Charm

High-class FACT TO FILE follows the same path taken by his trainer's Florida Pearl and Missed That in going straight from bumpers to fences. The only horse to beat him last season was A Dream To Share and while this route is somewhat unorthodox, he is a mature six-year-old point-to-point winner. American Mike himself finished second in a Cheltenham Festival Bumper, in 2022, and while his novice hurdle-season was underwhelming, has the size to make a better chaser, although might struggle to beat the selection. Stablemate Landrake was rated 135 over hurdles and debuts over fences on reappearance. Spirit Of Legend and stablemate Lets Go Champ were similarly rated over hurdles but need to improve to win this while My Immortal didn't run last season, despite being a non-runner last December and February.
Prediction : 1st Fact To File 2nd American Mike 3rd Landrake

QUALIMITA was bought for a cool 500,000 euros following her impressive Fairyhouse point-to-point win for Colin Bowe last April and debuts for leading connections. That form is nothing special despite the runner-up being bumper-placed subsequently, but she sauntered to a 30-length victory and it is notable she contests a Listed bumper first time out. Only By Night also won effortlessly and impressively on heavy ground at Limerick last month, when conceding weight to the lesser placed-horses. She seems progressive and while open to further improvement, her Warwick defeat last February is nonetheless a small concern and also concedes 4lb to the selection. Roedara is a dual winner and while capable, faces a tougher task on differing ground than when winning at Down Royal and has top weight. Tarnova was a surprise debut winner last month and steps up in grade while Disco Dancer, a 115,000-euro store, runs in a first-time tongue-tie. Mongibello ran well behind two subsequent racecourse winners on Oldtown point-to-point debut last February.
Prediction : 1st Qualimita 2nd Only By Night 3rd Roedora