UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

BETTER DAYS AHEAD takes a drop in class here and can give weight away to these rivals. The Milan gelding wasn't disgraced when fourth in Grade 2 company behind Slade Steel here last month. That form looks good as the runner-up Lecky Watson has been third in a Grade 1 since. Asian Master scored on his first start for Willie Mullins and there could be more to come from him. That form has also received a boost since with the runner-up Jimmy Du Seuil scoring at Clonmel. Fiveonefive was a winner over in Hereford in November and it will be interesting to see how he measures up in this company now.
Prediction : 1st Better Days Ahead 2nd Asian Master 3rd Fiveonefive

MY TRUMP CARD won his bumper here last month and a return to this staying track should suit. He was no match for I Will Be Baie back over hurdles at Fairyhouse last time but it was still a solid effort and he should be capable of a big showing now. Killaney King ran a nice race when chasing home Blizzard Of Oz on his 'track' debut at Punchestown last month and with natural improvement could be a big danger. Dr Eggman was a fair enough third on his hurdling debut here last month and if he steps forward from that he's another that could play a big part.
Prediction : 1st My Trump Card 2nd Killaney King 3rd Dr Eggman

HARVARD GUY aims for a hat-trick of course and distance wins and the progressive son of Telescope can strike again. He got a 12lb hike for his win here last month but there looks scope for further improvement from the six-year-old who appears to be on an upward curve. The veteran Lord Erskine chased home the selection last time and is now 10lb better off so he looks to be an obvious danger. Fortunedefortunata won here on his penultimate start and ran well to finish third in a competitive event at Leopardstown last time. Off just a pound higher mark he's another for the shortlist, taking a step up in trip now.
Prediction : 1st Harvard Guy 2nd Lord Erskine 3rd Fortunedefortunata

CHOSEN DIAMOND is interesting here back over timber. The Well Chosen gelding won a handicap chase off this mark of 92 in November and ran well off 11lb higher when fourth at Punchestown on his most recent outing. It's no surprise to see connections switching back to the smaller obstacles now off what appears to be a winnable rating. Butty O Brien won over course and distance last month and ran a solid race when fifth off this mark at Naas eight days ago. If this doesn't come too soon she could run a big race again. Rachael Blackmore is an eye-catching booking for Benkei. He was a faller last time but had run well to be placed on his previous couple of runs and could get involved again here.
Prediction : 1st Chosen Diamond 2nd Butty O Brien 3rd Benkei

MINELLA COCOONER should improve from his comeback run at Leopardstown when weakening after forcing the pace. He faded late on then when third to impressive stablemate Fact To File on his first start in 13 months. The Flemensfirth gelding had been a good second to Classic Getaway on his chase debut last season and the former Grade 1 winning novice hurdler has the potential to be a nice horse over fences this season. Sandor Clegane takes a drop in class here having chased home Favori De Champdou in Grade 2 company at Punchestown in November. He looks a big danger. My Immortal ran a solid race on his second chase start when third to Nick Rockett and should be capable of reaching the frame again.
Prediction : 1st Minella Cocooner 2nd Sandor Clegane 3rd My Immortal

EAGLE TERRACE did well to beat the in-form Evies Vladimir over two and a half miles at Down Royal last time and can strike again stepping back up in trip. The Gleneagles gelding had been a cosy winner over a furlong-and-a-half further than this at Cartmel last summer on heavy ground and stamina seems to be his forte. Rochestown was an easy winner at Tramore on New Year's Day and has to be respected despite a 8lb hike for that victory. Mahler Appeal chased him home then and at the revised terms is entitled to get a bit closer this time.
Prediction : 1st Eagle Terrace 2nd Rochestown 3rd Mahler Appeal

C'EST TA CHANCE was one that Willie Mullins mentioned in stable tours and the Elm Park gelding could be smart. He won his sole point-to-point start for Pat Doyle at Comea last February and has joined the team of leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Gordon Elliott also saddles a once-raced point-to-point winner in Trim Castle. The Well Chosen gelding was bought by Gigginstown after winning at Castletown-Geoghegan last April. Money for Barry Connell's newcomer William Munny would be interesting. The Westerner gelding is out of a half-sister to smart chaser Mister McGoldrick.
Prediction : 1st Cest Ta Chance 2nd Trim Castle 3rd William Munny