UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

GAUCHER somewhat belatedly debuts over jumps and contests a useful maiden but notably has a Supreme Novices Hurdle entry and has good French flat form. By Frankel and out of a Dubawi mare, he was a 260,000-euro purchase in November 2022 having won two middle-distance races including once at Longchamp, and while he runs in a first-time tongue-tie and wears his usual hood, is one of his trainer's 23 entries for Cheltenham's opener next month. Ascending finished fifth in last season's Triumph Hurdle and while he is reliable, race-fit and his form is in hot races, has nonetheless been beaten in three maidens and is vulnerable to a smarter type. Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Helvic Dream has run two satisfactory races over hurdles but needs to improve to win while Angostura showed good form at Boulta in December but faces a tough task and notably skips bumpers. Claude Du Val is a half-brother to four French winners and is by Teahuppo's sire.
Prediction : 1st Gaucher 2nd Ascending 3rd Helvic Dream

The beautifully-bred BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD returns from a break and concedes weight but can maintain the winning thread. A 310,000-euro store purchase and a half-sister to one Caldwell Potter, Mighty Potter and two other black-type performers, her form is consistently strong and while her big target is likely to be Cheltenham's 2m2f mares' novice, should also be suited by today's distance. Stablemate Mel Monroe was well held at Warwick last month but had previously run well in defeat in smart races. She lacks the selection's ability but might finish second. Annalecka defeated Ashdale Flyer by a nose to win last month but is now 7lb better off and should confirm placings, although each need to improve. Pastorale, which won a Pau chase in January 2023, has run well in two useful hurdles this winter but also needs to improve to win. Dual handicap winner Butty O Brien throws her hat into the ring looking for black-type.
Prediction : 1st Brighterdaysahead 2nd Mel Monroe 3rd Annalecka

BLAZING KHAL has reportedly had a stop-start preparation despite being in since July but won this race on reappearance following a long layoff last year. A triple Grade 2 winner - including twice at Cheltenham, he smartly won last year's renewal and while well beaten in the subsequent Stayers Hurdle, probably underperformed. 2021 Drinmore Chase winner Beacon Edge finished six-and-a-half-lengths third in last year's renewal of this race and while he lacks a gear to be high-class, should run well and be placed. Ashdale Bob is dependable but might bump into a few too good while De Capo Glory steps up from a recent handicap win. Sire Du Berlais won last year's Stayers Hurdle but is now 12, finished fourth in last year's renewal and will have bigger spring targets ahead - with his trainer recently downplaying today's chances. Hiddenvalley Lake's chase career has been put on hold and faces a tough task on hurdling return while Cheltenham's cross country candidates Galvin and Delta Work will be sharper for today's outing.
Prediction : 1st Blazing Khal 2nd Beacon Edge 3rd Ashdale Bob

Zeeband makes a quick reappearance after beating all bar Dancing Jeremy at Fairyhouse on Wednesday and should go close if none the worse for those exertions. However, this will be the Flat-bred gelding's third run on testing ground in just over two weeks and GRACE FARADAY gets slight preference. She made a creditable start in handicaps when upped to 2m5f at the Limerick Christmas meeting and the form of that race has been working out with the runner-up going one better and the third also running well next time. Padraigs Boy held every chance when falling on his handicap debut at Cork last time, while Aodhan May won a 3m1f handicap chase at Wexford last spring and probably ran better than her finishing position would suggest at Fairyhouse last month. Stockdale and Clear The Clouds are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Grace Faraday 2nd Zeeband 3rd Padraigs Boy

Riding arrangements suggest NICK ROCKETT is preferred to C&D winner Minella Cocooner. The selection progressed really well last term completing a hat-trick in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting and showed the benefit of a run over fences when easily beating Tactical Move (won since) over 2m5f also at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. This longer trip should play to his strengths. Minella Cocooner was the pick of these over hurdles and rates a serious threat after jumping well when successful here last month. American Mike made a bright start over fences beating Fact To File over 2m4f here in November but needs to bounce back after a disappointing effort at Limerick while stablemate Favori De Champdou won a Punchestown Grade 2 in good style before being soundly beaten behind Grangeclare West at Leopardstown.
Prediction : 1st Nick Rockett 2nd Minella Cocooner 3rd Favori De Champdou

ROLLY BOWLEY BOY won a 2m4f handicap hurdle on testing ground at Clonmel just over a year ago and can gain a deserved success over fences following a series of placed efforts this term. The selection beat all bar Bushmans Pass over 2m7f at the Limerick Christmas meeting and had Atacanter (now 4lb better off) back in third when just denied by Kates Hill at Punchestown last month. Positive Thinker won over both hurdles and fences last autumn and has continued in good form since including when just edged out by Emancipator over this trip at Fairyhouse with So Des Flos and Old Soul both behind. So Des Flos previously won over a shorter distance at Fairyhouse and has a chance at the weights.
Prediction : 1st Rolly Bowley Boy 2nd Atacanter 3rd So Des Flos

CANTICO won a Liscarroll point-to-point for Andy Slattery last spring and was well-backed on his debut under Rules in a bumper at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting when third to Goldinthemountains. The son of Diamond Boy should benefit from that run and is taken to beat Lough Owel, who also won between the flags last season but was no match for the selection's stablemate Hens Tooth on his bumper debut at Limerick. Holddoor is an interesting newcomer and one to note in the market with John Gleeson booked, while point winner Olympy De Cerisy has loses to recover after finishing third at Limerick recently.
Prediction : 1st Cantico 2nd Lough Owel 3rd Holddoor