UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

Having been considered smart enough to make her debut in a Listed race earlier this month, TRUE LOVE should take full advantage of this first run in maiden company. The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly made a hugely encouraging start to her career, always prominent before keeping on to finish second to a highly-regarded juvenile. A reproduction of that effort would almost certainly be good enough to see the daughter of No Nay Never register a first success. Venetian Star should be all the better for his introduction at the Curragh. Johnny Murtagh's two-year-olds have tended to improve for an initial outing. Jockey bookings would suggest that Padel Addict is the pick of her stable's two representatives here.
Prediction : 1st True Love 2nd Venetian Star 3rd Padel Addict

Runner-up over C&D last month, STANHOPE can go one better. A four-time winner here, the veteran clearly has a particular affinity for Navan and with high numbers usually favoured on the sprint track, he looks nicely berthed in stall 17. Keithen Kennedy is one of the more experienced jockeys in the field, while good ground should pose no issues to the son of Equiano. Little Mi Mi, who caught the eye staying on after an interrupted passage in that aforementioned race, has to be considered. Although well beaten at Sligo subsequently, the four-year-old is better on a straight track. Recent Curragh third Lismacbryan Hill also has good form that ties in with these.
Prediction : 1st Stanhope 2nd Little Mi Mi 3rd Lismacbryan Hill

It is surely significant that Colin Keane rides newcomer LIL' ANGEL in preference to stablemate Mini Mai. Given that the latter filly shaped with plenty of promise when third at Tipperary recently, the fact the champion jockey has elected to partner the other Ger Lyons-trained runner should be noted. A daughter of Dark Angel, the debutant must be giving off all the right signals at home. A beaten favourite on his racecourse debut at York this time last year, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Seattle has to be respected. Almost certainly better than that bare form suggests, he should be such sharper on this occasion.
Prediction : 1st Lil Angel 2nd Seattle 3rd Mini Mai

THE HIGHWAY RAT is worth taking a chance on, despite a below-par run at Naas last time. Andy Oliver's gelding had shaped with plenty of promise when sixth at the Curragh on his seasonal debut the time before. A five-time winner on the all-weather, the son of Dandy Man gained his only previous victory on grass over C&D. Off a 2lb lower mark, he should be capable of a big run from a favourable high draw. Only Spoofing, twice successful in this race and a winner at Musselburgh last month, should have his chance if back on song. Kevin Coleman's veteran failed to back that run up when turned out quickly. Bold Optimist is another who holds leading claims.
Prediction : 1st The Highway Rat 2nd Only Spoofing 3rd Bold Optimist

Recent Leopardstown maiden winner BUTTERFLY WINGS can cope with this rise in class. Always to the fore under Wayne Lordan, the daughter of Justify led over a furlong out before keeping on strongly to open her account. The Epsom and Irish Oaks entrant should be even better suited to the additional distance that she encounters here and provided this race doesn't come too soon, she can make it back-to-back wins. Delta, a fast-finishing second on his reappearance last weekend, should also appreciate stepping up in trip. A half-brother to a Lancashire Oaks winner, he is bred to be smart. Ballinrobe maiden winner Carmers will need to improve, but could be capable of doing so.
Prediction : 1st Butterfly Wings 2nd Delta 3rd Carmers

A consistent filly of late, MAKAIAH can register a first career win. Having suffered an interrupted passage when runner-up at this track on her penultimate start, Gerard O'Leary's four-year-old again had to settle for minor honours at Sligo last time. Racing in a similar grade here, the daughter of Bated Breath looks sure to play a leading role under Joey Sheridan. Second over hurdles on her latest two outings, Cleopatra's Needle gained her sole win on the Flat at this venue and will be a serious threat if her stamina holds out. Recent dual all-weather winner Fine Print has every chance if able to replicate that form back on grass.
Prediction : 1st Makaiah 2nd Cleopatras Needle 3rd Fine Print

Unlucky in running when second at Leopardstown on his reappearance, LIGHT AS AIR can gain compensation. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was travelling easily with nowhere to go over a furlong out, before flashing home late to get within half a length of the winner. With the form of that race having been well boosted subsequently, this Irish Derby entrant looks well handicapped, despite a 7lb rise. It will be disappointing if he can't exploit a mark of 86 before stepping up in grade. C&D maiden winner Dakota Blue rates the main threat. Johnny Murtagh's gelding won with a bit in hand on his most recent visit here. Curragh maiden winner Kibris will find this easier than recent assignments.
Prediction : 1st Light As Air 2nd Dakota Blue 3rd Kibris

Irish Derby entrant SCANDINAVIA can make a winning reappearance. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt reached the frame on his first two starts as a juvenile before disappointing when sent off favourite at Doncaster. Almost certainly better than that latter run suggests, the son of Justify can get off the mark under Wayne Lordan. Kilcrea Rock travelled nicely before weakening late on on his return at Leopardstown last month. Sure to be straighter with the benefit of that outing, the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt has decent claims. With Johnny Murtagh's horses tending to improve for a run, Edelak can get closer than on his debut here.
Prediction : 1st Scandinavia 2nd Kilcrea Rock 3rd Edelak