UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

CHARMING STAR ran a lovely race on hurdling debut at Naas which showed he could have a future in this game. He kept on without threatening in fourth and this former 1m4f winner on the Flat relishes testing ground. A big run from Shahbaz on hurdling bow for Gavin Cromwell wouldn't be a surprise. This son of Free Eagle showed an aptitude for rain-softened ground during his career on the Flat in Britain. Most notably, he won a soft-ground nursery at Newmarket and ran on for fourth on heavy going over an extended 1m2f when last seen at Nottingham in October. St Faz has shown more than enough over flights to rate a danger. He has banked a couple of third place finishes in Killarney and Cork, so more prize money awaits. Grann's Boy and Welcome Back are a pair to monitor for market moves.
Prediction : 1st Charming Star 2nd Shahbaz 3rd St Faz

The form of INSTANT TENDANCE's third place in a mares' maiden hurdle over C&D in November reads well in the context of this race. She has since been placed twice in bumpers, but a return to flights could see her off the mark. Jokers 'n' Clowns won a point-to-point in December for Warren Ewing and has switched to Gavin Cromwell for her track debut, so she has to be given plenty of respect. Fortuna Favente, a half-sister to Appreciate It no less, hasn't lived up to expectations so far, but may show more on her return from a break in a race lacking depth.
Prediction : 1st Instant Tendance 2nd Jokers n Clowns 3rd Fortuna Favente

UPPING THE ANTI wasn't cutting much ice in high-quality races over fences, but showed much more in fourth when switched back to hurdles in Naas. With a hurdle mark some 25lb lower than his chase rating, one of these races is going to fall his way sooner rather than later. El Capitaine comes with risks reappearing for the first time in over a year for a new stable, however, he does look well handicapped on a mark of 114. He was last seen finishing third in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and that form has been emphatically endorsed by the winner, the runner-up and the fourth home. Chosen Diamond had closed on the leader when he fell at the last over C&D at this track at this track last month, so is an obvious contender. Aodhan May is in a good place at the minute having won over further here and in Punchestown. The handicapper has tacked on 9lb but this in-form mare's claims are hard to ignore.
Prediction : 1st Upping The Anti 2nd El Capitaine 3rd Chosen Diamond

KINTURK KALANISI has been placed over further trips in Cork and Punchestown, and could get his turn. His third in Cork behind a subsequent Grade 3 novice hurdle winner can be seen in a better light now. Former point-to-point winner Special Cadeau is up in trip on his second start over flights and there should be more to come from him for Willie Mullins. Born Braver was readily outgunned in second in a bumper over the minimum trip at Fairyhouse, however, he had a decent record 'between the flags', so this trip could see him make an impact on hurdle debut.
Prediction : 1st Kinturk Kalanisi 2nd Special Cadeau 3rd Born Braver

BLOOD DESTINY is 3lb better off with Spillane's Tower after losing out by two lengths to him over further in Punchestown and it could tip the balance his way. He attempted to make all in that Grade 3, but was collared in the closing stages. He has been impressive over this trip in hurdle races at Cork and Fairyhouse and could get into a good rhythm. Spillane's Tower has to give 7lb to all three rivals, but he is a tough sort and there was plenty of merit in that Punchestown victory. He is more than capable of putting in a strong finish. Flanking Maneuver couldn't make an impression in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas, but ought to find this company more palatable. This is quite a drop in trip for him, though. Farmers Lodge won a beginners' chase over C&D last month and isn't out of it, but this is a stiff task on paper for him.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd Spillanes Tower 3rd Flanking Maneuver

JOURNEY WITH ME can return from a lengthy absence with a victory. Henry de Bromhead's charge has plenty of ability as evidenced by a three-length success in a Grade 3 novice chase on his penultimate start in Naas. He fell in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival last April, but should be able to get into his stride in this small field on ground he enjoys. Galway Plate winner Ash Tree Meadow likes to dictate and is a strong stayer. He is likely to make this a searching test albeit he may not want the ground to be too deep. Fighting Fit was in a rich vein of form before a below-par effort in a Grade 3 handicap chase here last month.
Prediction : 1st Journey With Me 2nd Ash Tree Meadow 3rd Fighting Fit

JUMPING JET can make a winning foray into handicap company. She has been picking up prize money in beginners' chases and should enjoy dropping down from finishing fourth in a Listed mares' novices' chase at Thurles this month. Danny Gilligan's 5lb claim has her on an appealing mark. Kates Hill has really found her form in recent months and is a big player. A couple of runner-up berths at Naas and Punchestown sandwiched a Punchestown beginners' chase success in January. She is clearly on a mark she can be effective off and gets first-time cheekpieces. Intersky Sunset reverts back to fences after a couple of placed runs over flights in Clonmel.
Prediction : 1st Jumping Jet 2nd Kates Hill 3rd Intersky Sunset