UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

The lightly-raced JAMES'S GATE finished third in the 2022 Champion Bumper and showed nice ability in winning last month. He shaped OK last season before winning well at Punchestown, with the third and fourth scoring subsequently. He looks fragile but can better his 127 rating. Ballygunner Castle did really well to win having been badly hampered twice at Fairyhouse in November. That form is not outstanding, but the manner in which he recovered was very encouraging. Stablemate C'est Ta Chance takes his chance, despite dropping in distance, having briefly been outpaced when winning over 2m3f at Clonmel. Taponthego has good recent handicap form, while Casheldale Lad steps up from an easy maiden hurdle win.
Prediction : 1st Jamess Gate 2nd Ballygunner Castle 3rd Cest Ta Chance

Point-to-point winner FORTY COATS has shown consistent form in his career and seems nicely suited by this distance. A bumper winner last April, he chased home a subsequent Grade 1 third here in November and ran a solid race at Punchestown last month, finishing ahead of two subsequent maiden hurdle victors. Kainsbourg won two French bumpers - the latter coming at Grade 3 level - before selling for 355,000 euros in November 2023. It was therefore disappointing that he failed to win at Limerick over Christmas, but he still ran well and today's extra distance might help. Did I Ask You That was well held behind a subsequent Grade 2 winner at Punchestown in November.
Prediction : 1st Forty Coats 2nd Kainsbourg 3rd Did I Ask You That

MUSIC OF TARA reverts to timber on her first start for new connections and should compete. Third in a Grade 3 over fences in October, she was bought for 68,000 euros last month and while reasonably exposed, is rated 6lb lower in this sphere and won a handicap hurdle at the 2023 Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Stablemate Jigoro chased Mystical Power home in the Moscow Flyer a year ago and although raised 3lb following a useful Limerick run, he can go close. Thecompanysergeant debuts for new connections having been bought for 110,000 euros in November and although a better chaser, he is rated 7lb lower in this sphere and is suited by the distance. Blaze The Way is 7lb higher than when winning here last month and drops in trip.
Prediction : 1st Music Of Tara 2nd Jigoro 3rd Thecompanysergeant

COLLABORATIVE has run well in two recent handicap hurdles and might put that experience to good use. Trained on his Flat debut by Dermot Weld, his hurdles form was largely unexciting but he ran two consistent races in December and can be counted upon to again compete. Jonny Mansie has a slightly more exposed profile than the selection, but ran well at Punchestown just five days ago. A quick turnaround isn't ideal but he is tried in a first-time visor. Lakota Blue has first-time cheekpieces fitted having disappointed slightly at Limerick over Christmas. He had previously shown more useful form and although only a four-year-old, is interesting on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Collaborative 2nd Jonny Mansie 3rd Lakota Blue

THREE CARD BRAG won twice over hurdles and kept very good company over fences last term including when placed behind Spillane's Tower in a 3m1f Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. The selection made a lot of the running and only weakened in the straight last time in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins saddles four runners and perhaps Loughglynn may pose the greatest threat. He won a 2m7f Grade 2 novice hurdle at Limerick last season and had a number of these rivals behind when third on his chasing debut at Punchestown. Stablemate Olympic Man was let down by his jumping at Punchestown last month, while Captain Cody also needs to brush up in that department.
Prediction : 1st Three Card Brag 2nd Loughglynn 3rd Olympic Man

TANGENTAL gained both hurdle wins on soft ground including over this trip at Clonmel and showed some promise over fences last spring. The Colm Murphy-trained gelding should benefit from his reappearance behind the progressive Portarlington at Tramore. Cullenwaine justified good support over 3m1f at Thurles last month and is still a threat off his revised mark, although the softer ground conditions would be a concern. Chosen Shant has yet to score in 25 starts but has placed form over a variety of trips and now steps up considerably in distance after his stable debut at Naas last month. Course winner He Fitz In is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Tangental 2nd Cullenwaine 3rd Chosen Shant

DREAM DIAMOND has shown promise on both hurdle starts notably when beating all bar Kel Histoire last time in a 19-runner Cork maiden. The winner advertised the form when runner-up to Salvator Mundi in a Grade 2 at Punchestown last Sunday and the booking of Patrick Mullins adds to confidence. Sine Qua Non easily beat Loaded And Locked (won since) on his only point-to-point start at Lingstown in November while Spinningayarn also represents powerful connections and has a similar profile. Eachtotheirown is a newcomer to note from a yard in good form.
Prediction : 1st Dream Diamond 2nd Sine Qua Non 3rd Spinningayarn