UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

There was just a head between AMIATA and Kansas when they were second and third respectively over the same trip in Naas. Slight preference is for the former, who went off favourite for that debut run and should improve for it. Kansas, who is one of three Aidan O'Brien representatives, has had another spin in the Curragh and got closer to the breakthrough in second. Baker Blue's third in Cork can be marked up after the winner followed up in good style at Tipperary. O'Brien takes the wraps off No Nay Never colt Stock Market, whose full brother was good enough to win on debut at Yarmouth. Naas barrier trial runner-up Fairy Oak is another with claims.
Prediction : 1st Amiata 2nd Kansas 3rd Baker Blue

KEKE very rarely puts in a sub-par performance and won a different 5f sprint on this card last year. Eddie Lynam's charge actually won four handicaps last year, which saw him rocket through the grades. He has posted two fair efforts in this campaign, showing that he can compete off marks in the 90s. This is a drop in class for Ostraka and she is a C&D winner. Bold Optimist finished third in a good sprint over C&D last month and is now 1lb lower than his last winning mark. The expected rain will suit Thunderbear more than most, but he has tended to need his seasonal reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Keke 2nd Ostraka 3rd Bold Optimist

ASDANA was far from outclassed in maidens won by more-than-useful types and showed that she can have a future in handicaps when a close fourth at Down Royal. Surpass And Shine beat Irish Rumour by a head in Naas last month and they both make the shortlist, although they wouldn't want too much rain. Beano Power and My Girl Sioux are in there pitching for a cheque, while An Laochmor gets first-time blinkers on the back of some solid efforts. The veteran Stanhope just loves Navan and is in a consistent vein of form.
Prediction : 1st Asdana 2nd Surpass And Shine 3rd Irish Rumour

The lightly-raced RED LETTER should appreciate this easier assignment having finished down the field in the 1000 Guineas on her reappearance. Ger Lyons' daughter of Frankel was sent off one of the market leaders for the first Classic of the season, so must have clearly been working well at home. Almost certainly better than that bare form suggests, she can prove it here. Recent Killarney winner Queen Of Thunder looks best of the older generation. That form received a boost subsequently when the runner-up won her maiden next time out. Barnavara is another three-year-old with leading claims in this tight-knit Listed contest.
Prediction : 1st Red Letter 2nd Queen Of Thunder 3rd Barnavara

Having had her excuses when disappointing at the Curragh when last seen, EDGE OF SEVENTEEN has to be given another chance. A close-up third on her racecourse debut at Naas on her previous start, the Jessica Harrington-trained filly is open to further improvement. Stepping up beyond a mile for the first time in her career, the daughter of Circus Maximus sets the standard. Treasure Rose is entitled to have come forward from her recent introduction at Gowran Park last month. The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly stayed on late having been slowly away. Dundalk fifth Saxon Belle is another that should be all the better for the initial experience.
Prediction : 1st Edge Of Seventeen 2nd Treasure Rose 3rd Saxon Belle

While there is every chance that he is just a better horse over flights, ZARIYGANN is undeniably well handicapped on the Flat. Twice a winner over hurdles last year, the gelding could only finish mid division when reverting to the level in between those two successes. However, as a lightly raced individual with only the five runs in that sphere, it is far too early to write him off. Making his first start for Martin Brassil here, it will be interesting to see if there is market confidence behind him. With Ronan Whelan having had a few options in this race, the fact he rides Granite Bay could be significant. Miss Gitana is another with strong claims.
Prediction : 1st Zariygann 2nd Granite Bay 3rd Miss Gitana

SLIEVE BEARNAGH can record a first win since joining trainer David Marnane. Narrowly denied at Limerick on his second start for the Bansha man, the eight-year-old ran another solid race when third at Tipperary recently. Well handicapped relative to his hurdle rating, the Zoffany gelding looks to have leading claims in what looks a weak race, despite the large number of runners. Arcland has to enter calculations on his second outing for Gavin Cromwell. The nine-year-old has run well at this venue in previous visits, while the trip looks to be his optimum. Bright Start, who finished third over course and distance last time, is also worthy of consideration under Nicola Burns.
Prediction : 1st Slieve Bearnagh 2nd Arcland 3rd Bright Start