UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

Smart on the Flat, BRAVE TROOP was well supported on his first start for Charles Byrnes when a facile winner at Thurles last month. The five-year-old is up markedly in the ratings but the ground is likely to be similar, which will suit him, and he's open to plenty of further improvement in this discipline. Portnacoo, formerly trained by his owner Harry Smyth, rattled up a hat-trick of victories at Downpatrick in early autumn and returns after a couple of months off to make his debut for Ross O'Sullivan. Clonmel maiden winner Lady Bresil ran creditably after seven months off when placed on handicap debut at Punchestown, while Lygon Lad drops in trip after showing promise in maidens.
Prediction : 1st Brave Troop 2nd Portnacoo 3rd Lady Bresil

A maiden winner at Bellewstown in April, THEFLYINGBEE acquitted herself very well against some smart novices on her next start at the Punchestown Festival and may have needed the run on handicap debut in September. Her local trainer's last two runners have finished second, which augurs well for a prominent showing from the daughter of Morozov. Kinbara Firstdraft has had her last five runs in Scotland and landed a good-ground handicap over a similar trip at Ayr last month. Well Dressed had been off eight months prior to running poorly when favourite for her handicap debut at Punchestown and is surely capable of better, while Boston Rover made a good start in handicap company when runner-up at Thurles.
Prediction : 1st Theflyingbee 2nd Kinbara Firstdraft 3rd Boston Rover

After seven months off, BILLY LEE SWAGGER shaped well on his reappearance at Punchestown and is probably still on a workable mark after a 3lb hike. He steps up markedly in trip and wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much, but is likely to go close if improving for this test of stamina. Doitforjane Sid was unable to land a blow in a Pertemps qualifier at Punchestown, but won his first two handicap starts with plenty to spare and had Crossing The Bar back in fourth when successful over this trip at Sligo in October. The latter has been in good form since joining Cian Collins, while his stablemate Robyndeglory returned to form when a fast-finishing third at Tipperary.
Prediction : 1st Billy Lee Swagger 2nd Doitforjane Sid 3rd Robyndeglory

DONT GO YET would prefer a softer surface, but he ran very well on yielding ground at Fairyhouse and now drops in grade. His jumping was a little ragged last time and an improvement in that department will see him in with a good chance of registering a second success at this venue. Money Heist is on a hat-trick after winning his first two handicap chases on testing ground, but he has been off since January. Someone's Wish has run well in three chase starts since landing a beginners' contest at Downpatrick, while Cheerful Chap was second to a well-treated rival at Clonmel and should progress from that first start in over six months.
Prediction : 1st Dont Go Yet 2nd Someones Wish 3rd Cheerful Chap

INDIVIDUALISTE won twice over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and has steadily improved in three chase outings since joining Gavin Cromwell. He looked a strong stayer when successful over 3m1f at Thurles last time and this galloping track will play to his strength. Soloman Lane won over 2m5f at Leopardstown last spring and it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour after a break, while Valsorpresa ran too freely at Down Royal last month and will appreciate this drop in distance. Point-to-point winner Dawn Escape showed some promise at Tramore and now tackles handicap company for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Individualiste 2nd Soloman Lane 3rd Valsorpresa

POTTERS PARTY ran well on his return at Down Royal early last month and can bag another win over fences now. The Mahler gelding chased home History Of Fashion and the form got a boost with the winner going on to land the Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse. He had Shajak back in third at Down Royal and can confirm the placings. Invictus Machin also runs in the JP McManus colours and could be a danger. The Coastal Path gelding came good over fences at Kilbeggan back in August and, despite an 8lb hike, he still looks on a competitive mark.
Prediction : 1st Potters Party 2nd Invictus Machin 3rd Shajak

Gordon Elliott obviously has a strong hand in this and it will be interesting to see if all the Gigginstown horses turn up. Kalypso'chance was impressive first time out at Punchestown three weeks ago and was installed as an early ante-post favourite for Cheltenham. It's noteworthy, though, that Harry Swan was jocked up early on for CLASSICAL CREEK and the Walk In The Park gelding may prove the one. He won cosily enough on his 'track' debut at Down Royal having been well touted coming into that race. Friary Road has a victory over Whinney Hill and Jerry From Kerry in the bag and is another who has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Classical Creek 2nd Kalypsochance 3rd Friary Road