UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

HYGGE has been placed on both outings in academy hurdles and may have been found a good opportunity to open his account. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was third behind Minella Yoga (won again since) on testing ground at Fairyhouse and filled the same spot behind stablemate Lynches Knock at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. On a line through that winner, he should have the beating of Moulin Labbe, who won a French bumper in good style but weakened before the last when switched to hurdles at Naas. Crooked Path has plenty of experience over hurdles and appears effective on varying ground conditions.
Prediction : 1st Hygge 2nd Moulin Labbe 3rd Crooked Path

GALILEO DAME is a smart dual-purpose mare and can gain an overdue win over hurdles. She was placed twice at Listed level on the Flat and beat all bar Hello Neighbour in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last year. She went close when reverting to timber over 2m4f at Limerick over Christmas and should be suited by this drop back to 2m. Royal Hillsborough has strong form in bumpers and was unfortunate in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown when her rider misjudged the winning post. The Dotski caught the eye staying on late on debut at Fairyhouse and may prove more of a threat than Shadys Lady and Sound Judgement.
Prediction : 1st Galileo Dame 2nd Royal Hillsborough 3rd The Dotski

SHOWURAPPRECIATION was absent for nearly two years after winning a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle and has progressed well over fences this season. The Jonathan Sweeney-trained gelding scored in fine style over an extended 2m6f at Punchestown last month and is well treated compared to his revised chase mark of 126. Chosen Diamond won over a similar trip at Fairyhouse last year before finishing second in this race and has dropped down to a competitive mark. Lady Bluebird should benefit from a couple of outings this term and is now fitted with cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Showurappreciation 2nd Chosen Diamond 3rd Lady Bluebird

SAN HILARIO has been a model of consistency in handicaps and may open his account reverting to maiden company. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding filled the runner-up spot for the third time this term when beating all bar Powerful over an extended 2m4f at Punchestown. Royal Gladiator rates a threat having given the smart Oh My Word a good test here in a bumper before a promising hurdling debut behind the selection's stablemate Lazare De Star at Leopardstown. Hens Tooth has won a point-to-point and a bumper, and the lightly-raced eight-year-old should benefit from a couple of hurdle outings this term.
Prediction : 1st San Hilario 2nd Royal Gladiator 3rd Hens Tooth

JACOB'S LADDER will relish testing conditions and is taken to follow up a valuable handicap chase success in Leopardstown at the start of the month. He was notably strong in the closing stages of that contest, drawing five lengths clear, and this is a good trip for him. Lovely Hurling was Grade 1-placed over flights and although he was beaten a fair way into second in two beginners chases, the winners of those races are classy sorts so he should be a contender. Port Joulain made all to score in a beginners chase at Fairyhouse and represents strong connections on this step up in class. Willie Mullins has won three of the last four renewals of this race.
Prediction : 1st Jacobs Ladder 2nd Lovely Hurling 3rd Port Joulain

Gordon Elliott's FOUND A FIFTY is particularly effective in small-field Grade 2 assignments and looks the one to beat with a rating of 164. He was an honourable third at the highest level in Leopardstown and has had almost a month off from those exertions. His stablemate Better Days Ahead made a highly encouraging return to action when second in a Grade 2 over flights at this venue just under three weeks ago. Staying tests over fences are more his forte and his last couple of chase victories came at this track. Saint Sam enjoys racing at the head of affairs and this is his level, while James Du Berlais is weighted to have a say.
Prediction : 1st Found A Fifty 2nd Better Days Ahead 3rd Saint Sam

SAVANTE could exploit her lower chase mark. She did very little wrong when runner-up in a valuable handicap hurdle over further in Leopardstown, when collared close home. That form looks strong as she was 15 lengths clear of the third. Sophia Rose gets first-time cheekpieces after a runner-up spot over a longer trip in Punchestown and has winning form over a similar distance from a maiden hurdle in Sligo last summer. Her stablemate Me Wee Bonnie Lass has a 7lb claimer on board to lessen her burden and she is capable of a good run in this company. Femme Magnifique is another in the mix for prize money.
Prediction : 1st Savante 2nd Sophia Rose 3rd Me Wee Bonnie Lass