UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

OXFORD ROCK appears to have been presented with an ideal opportunity to open her account at the sixth time of asking. Runner-up on debut at Tipperary in May, the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly then finished a highly creditable seventh in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. Although failing to break her duck in three subsequent starts, the 85-rated juvenile warrants another chance in this company. Given the promise of his first two outings, it was somewhat disappointing that Turners Cross failed to beat a single rival at Naas last time. Assuming that wasn't his true running, the Jessica Harrington-trained colt should be more competitive here. Zambales is another contender from a leading yard who should be capable of better.
Prediction : 1st Oxford Rock 2nd Turners Cross 3rd Zambales

INISHMOT PRINCE should be capable of exploiting a potentially lenient turf mark now that he returns to a C&D where he has shaped well in the past. Although disappointing on his most recent start at Bellewstown, the Tom McCourt-trained gelding had run a big race when fourth here in a much stronger contest back in May. A horse who tends to find plenty for pressure in the closing stages, the six-year-old should relish the stiff uphill finish of this track. Irish Rumour has looked a much-improved filly since dropping down to the minimum trip. Runner-up at the Curragh on her penultimate start, she easily won over this C&D earlier in the month. Collective Power also merits respect with his rider taking off 7lb.
Prediction : 1st Inishmot Prince 2nd Irish Rumour 3rd Collective Power

A beaten favourite over C&D last month, BUCANEER'S SPIRIT can resume winning ways. Having scored at Cork on his previous start, the Jack Davison-trained gelding didn't enjoy the clearest of passages when narrowly losing out at this venue in his follow-up bid. Taking on his elders on that occasion, the son of Invincible Spirit should find life easier back among his own age group. Avatar Jet makes a quick reappearance after finishing fourth at Punchestown in midweek. Mark Fahey's charge should be much more suited to his stiffer test. Koniag, who went close at Cork last time, should again be involved. Although stepping up in grade, the Kodiac gelding looks capable of holding his own.
Prediction : 1st Bucaneers Spirit 2nd Avatar Jet 3rd Koniag

Having shaped with promise on both runs to date, the Joseph O'Brien-trained VALINOR can make it third-time lucky. Fourth on her racecourse debut at Limerick in July, the daughter of Free Eagle was just touched off at Gowran Park last time. With the potential for further improvement, she is given the vote. Runner-up on her two most recent starts, North Africa rates a serious threat. With four runs to date, the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly might not be open to as much improvement as some of her rivals, but she makes up for it with an edge in terms of experience. Ger Lyons' well-bred newcomer Silver Sixpence has to be monitored closely in the market. Her stable has introduced a couple of well-backed debut winners this season.
Prediction : 1st Valinor 2nd North Africa 3rd Silver Sixpence

Making a quick reappearance following her success at Punchestown on Tuesday, KEILAH is difficult to oppose. Carrying a 7lb penalty for that win, the Willie McCreery-trained filly looks well-in at the weights. Given the manner in which she emphatically opened her account on just her fourth start for the trainer, it seems likely that the daughter of Harzand has more in hand. Runner-up over this C&D on her penultimate outing, the four-year-old has already proven her ability to act on the track. Mayo For Sam, a winner over this C&D for previous connections, has to be respected under Ronan Whelan. Plunkett Street has yet to register a win but has shown flashes of ability, including when mid-division here last October.
Prediction : 1st Keilah 2nd Mayo For Sam 3rd Plunkett Street

The Ger Lyons-trained MARKET TIMING can open her account on her third start. Having reached the frame on both previous runs, the daughter of Camelot gives the impression that she could benefit from stepping up in trip here. A well-bred filly, the three-year-old looks to have been found a nice opportunity against some more exposed rivals. Realt Na Ri, who finished behind the selection at Bellewstown last time, is a definite contender. Fourth in a Listed race on her previous start, the Jessica Harrington-trained filly definitely underperformed for whatever reason, but she could be the one to beat if back to her best. The Johnny Murtagh-trained Kalkanli is capable of further improvement having had just the three starts to date.
Prediction : 1st Market Timing 2nd Realt Na Ri 3rd Kalkanli

The Emmet Mullins-trained EL REGALO catches the eye on just his second start in handicap company. Having shown definite promise in three maiden runs around a mile, the Australia gelding appeared suited to stepping up in trip when fifth on his handicap debut last time. Faced with an additional two furlongs now, he could be nicely treated off a mark of 70. Question Of Class, who disappointed at Galway last time, had been a very consistent filly prior to that below-par run. Third at this track in July, she is another that is certainly worth chancing over this longer distance. Game Phoenix could be interesting at a bigger price. Twice runner-up in juvenile hurdles, the Paul Power-trained filly stayed on strongly over an inadequate trip last time at Clonmel.
Prediction : 1st El Regalo 2nd Question Of Class 3rd Game Phoenix