UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

Given the form of Gavin Cromwell's stable, TRANSCENDENTAL could return from a break with a victory. She was just beaten by a neck in a much-higher grade when last seen in November and, crucially, she has winning form on good ground. This ground is drying out all the time. Rathbranchurch has form figures of '3212' in sprints at Navan and has the benefit of a seasonal reappearance fifth in a big field at the Curragh to call upon. This ground certainly won't inconvenience him. Eddie Lynam has secured the services of James Ryan for Keke who has the form to get involved while Avatar Jet could show up well on his handicap debut for his new trainer Mark Fahey. There was definite improvement on his third run when sixth at the Curragh last summer.
Prediction : 1st Transcendental 2nd Rathbranchurch 3rd Keke

Aidan O'Brien knows what it is required to win this race and his CAMILLE PISSARRO ought to have pace in his locker. He is a half-brother to a Commonwealth Cup winner and makes plenty of appeal on paper. Donnacha O'Brien takes the wraps off Sorella Carina, a half-sister to the stable's star filly Porta Fortuna who landed the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last September. It would be significant if she is strong in the market. Colin Keane is on Dr Ali of Ger Lyons' pair, while New Theory and Clever And Classy are others that could get in the mix for Fozzy Stack and Jim Bolger respectively.
Prediction : 1st Camille Pissarro 2nd Sorella Carina 3rd Dr Ali

GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS carries a lofty rating of 109, but his juvenile form looks rock solid. Since winning his maiden over a similar trip at this venue, he won the Group 3 Marble Hill at the Curragh and was fourth in the Group 2 Coventry at Royal Ascot. He then acquitted himself well in Group 1 company when third in the Phoenix and fourth in the Middle Park. His Majesty is next best on ratings on 104 and was a very close third in the Marble Hill. He has also been performing more than creditably in Group races since then, but was a fair way behind Givemethebeatboys in sixth in the Phoenix. Navassa Island signed off last season with placed efforts in both a Group 3 and in a Listed race and should have a role to play here, while Shandy looks a very promising filly and could outrun her odds.
Prediction : 1st Givemethebeatboys 2nd His Majesty 3rd Navassa Island

PURPLE LILY took the scalp of a 108-rated colt at Naas and looks ready for this step up in trip and class. Paddy Twomey raised the prospect of the Irish 1,000 Guineas after that Naas success and she holds a plethora of Group 1 entries at up to 1m4f. Aidan O'Brien's Everlasting is also well entered up and gets decent ground for the first time. She ought to come on from a fourth place in a Group 3 last month. Bellezza hasn't been seen since winning a maiden at Leopardstown last summer after which Ger Lyons spoke highly about her. The form of that race has worked out well and she is an intriguing runner here. O'Brien's Wingspan found plenty off the bridle to win her maiden over 1m at Leopardstown and should be suited by an extra couple of furlongs. Group 3 winner Caught U Looking is another to consider, while Ezeliya is well thought of and adds more spice to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Purple Lily 2nd Everlasting 3rd Bellezza

The 80-rated School Of Law steps up in trip after twice finishing second over 7f, while Jack Spriggins ran a promising race in a Curragh maiden on his sole start at two, but this looks likely to go to a newcomer. APACHE EAGLE cost 85,000gns as a yearling and the half-brother to two Flat winners is from the family of Group 2 winner Moon Queen. His trainer Joseph O'Brien has a lot of strength in depth in the three-year-old maiden category and market strength would boost confidence in the chances of the New Approach colt. Other debutants who merit respect are Cruden, a 52,000gns yearling who is fitted with a tongue-tie, and Unavoidable, who made 140,000gns as a yearling and has been gelded already. Young Churchill is out of a half-sister to Dunboyne Express, who was a winner at Group 1 level in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Prediction : 1st Apache Eagle 2nd Cruden 3rd Unavoidable

KYPRIOS sets out on the road back to the Ascot Gold Cup and even though Aidan O'Brien is sure to have left plenty to work on, he has enough in hand of these rivals to get back to winning ways. Unbeaten in six starts in 2022, including a four-timer at Group 1 level, the Galileo entire missed most of last season having picked up a serious joint infection. He wasn't quite at his best when second in the Irish St Leger and Long Distance Cup at Ascot in the autumn, but still ran to a high level of form. Yashin, who carries a 3lb penalty for his win in the Saval Beg at Leopardstown last May where Dawn Rising was back in third, was well behind the selection in the Irish St Leger when last seen. Queen Alexandra winner Dawn Rising finished a place ahead of Yashin in the final Irish Classic of 2023, but is held by Kyprios on that form. 2022 Cesarewitch winner Run For Oscar was third to Dawn Rising at Royal Ascot before running creditably in France a couple of times. He would prefer a longer trip.
Prediction : 1st Kyprios 2nd Dawn Rising 3rd Yashin

RAIN, who began her career under the care of Andre Fabre, caught the eye a couple of times last year and has come down a stone in the ratings since first given a mark in Ireland. A winner on soft ground in France, she was third over a furlong further at this course in October and it will be a surprise if she doesn't hit the target this season for her very capable trainer. Narlita finished last season with a flourish, following up a breakthrough win at Bellewstown with silver-medal finishes at the Curragh and Galway. Like the selection, she's returning from a six-month absence. Secret Rock has been in action on the all-weather more recently and had both Narlita and Rain behind when winning at Roscommon in August. Two miles seemed to stretch his stamina when a beaten favourite at Dundalk last time. Course maiden winner Bay Of Sanibel and Whimsy, fit from hurdling, are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Rain 2nd Secret Rock 3rd Narlita

CHARMING STAR was never going over 1m2f at Leopardstown last time, but is given a chance to redeem himself over a more suitable distance. Successful over 1m4f at Listowel last year, he landed a maiden hurdle here in March and has a nice racing weight under a good apprentice. A visor clearly didn't work on his last outing, but he has sported cheekpieces for both career wins and they are reapplied. Squire Danagher is on a hat-trick after two wins at Dundalk and he has placed form on turf, including on soft ground at this venue. Vera Verto was progressive in the autumn with wins on contrasting ground at Listowel and Newmarket, and her yard is in fine form. Zoffman, disappointing at the Galway Festival and out of action since, ran a cracker on last year's reappearance when second in a premier handicap at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Charming Star 2nd Squire Danagher 3rd Zoffman