UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

LAZARE DE STAR won nicely during Christmas and might prove to be a little better than a 126 rating. Runner-up in a point-to-point, he chased home a useful type on his hurdling debut before scoring at Leopardstown. Dropping back down in distance isn't ideal, but he seems ground-versatile and is open to further progression. Flat-bred Zeus Power has yet to race on ground this testing, but scored very easily at Thurles last month. He too is open to further improvement and should figure prominently. Fierce Handay has been running well in handicaps, while Bon Viveur steps up from his Tramore success.
Prediction : 1st Lazare De Star 2nd Zeus Power 3rd Fierce Handay

COURT COMPLIANCE was beaten at odds-on during Christmas, but is an able stayer who should be suited by going back up in distance. Placed in two point-to-points, he finished second in a useful maiden hurdle at Punchestown in November and although beaten at Down Royal subsequently, he ran a solid race and seems ground-versatile and dependable. He Can't Dance finished 11 lengths behind the selection at Down Royal, while Melbourne Shamrock's Fairyhouse conqueror Bally Free finished fourth in the aforementioned Punchestown maiden.
Prediction : 1st Court Compliance 2nd He Cant Dance 3rd Melbourne Shamrock

SON OF ANARCHY is 10lb higher than when successful in November, but has further room for progression. He missed a year following a debut point-to-point success and while it then took seven runs to score over hurdles, he had shaped with promise on more than one occasion and landed an on-course gamble when scoring at Punchestown. The Nagger Reidy narrowly defeated Hgranca De Thaix at Leopardstown during Christmas, while others with good recent handicap form are Balko D'ange, Killaney King and I A Connect.
Prediction : 1st Son Of Anarchy 2nd The Nagger Reidy 3rd Hgranca De Thaix

SHELLRUNFORBRIGGS showed progression to break through and looks to be ahead of the handicapper with an initial rating of 102. Out of a half-sister to three winners, she showed some promise at Fairyhouse before scoring at Naas. That maiden hurdle was for previously unplaced horses but having won easily, she should continue to improve. Teds Corner has been a beaten favourite on each of his last three starts but should again compete, while Johnny Cakes has reasonable recent form but has won just once from 20 starts.
Prediction : 1st Shellrunforbriggs 2nd Teds Corner 3rd Johnny Cakes

SLADE STEEL was a smart novice over hurdles, winning the Supreme at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, and should gain a belated first success over fences. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding was placed twice last term and was absent for a year until again filling the runner-up spot behind Predators Gold over the extended 2m4f here last month, with Wingmen 10 lengths back in third. Spread Boss Ted was a useful stayer over hurdles but has obviously had training issues, while Patter Merchant's second to Flicker Of Hope at Fairyhouse has been advertised since.
Prediction : 1st Slade Steel 2nd Wingmen 3rd Spread Boss Ted

MADE IN THE WOODS won over a similar trip at Limerick for Norman Lee and again made a bold bid from the front when beaten a neck by Maciver at the same venue last March. He only weakened in the Clonmel straight over hurdles on his first start for Mick Winters and, with the benefit of that outing, should give a good account. Plain Or Battered stays well and was placed behind A Great Buzz in a similar Punchestown event on his penultimate start. Brown Boots has indicated some ability in handicap hurdles, including when staying on into fifth over 2m4f at Clonmel last week, and could be suited by the step up in trip as he switches to fences.
Prediction : 1st Made In The Woods 2nd Plain Or Battered 3rd Brown Boots

THE IRISH AVATAR was second on his only point-to-point start for Colin Bowe at Dromahane last April and that race has thrown up a number of winners. The Poet's Word gelding, out of a Grade 2 winner, was subsequently snapped up for 200,000 pounds to join the champion trainer. Low Kick didn't enjoy the clearest of passages when placed in an Aintree bumper for Jack Teal last spring and was purchased by for 170,000 pounds shortly afterwards. Liskeveen hails from a yard that has won eight bumpers in the past six months, and the Crystal Ocean gelding is a half-brother to three winners.
Prediction : 1st The Irish Avatar 2nd Low Kick 3rd Liskeveen