UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

Most of EXCEEDING's form is on a sound surface, but he ran well on soft ground at Naas recently and has obvious claims. The five-year-old has won just once from 27 starts but nonetheless remains a little unexposed at this distance, which could well prove to be his optimum. Distillate disappointed on a recent run and would ideally prefer further nowadays, but she has winning form on heavy ground and was runner-up at Dundalk just last month. Platino Bianco has form on easy ground and almost sprung a shock in a Dundalk claimer, but will find this more competitive.
Prediction : 1st Exceeding 2nd Distillate 3rd Platino Bianco

Expensive yearling SHAFTESBURY AVENUE has an all-American pedigree and ran well on debut 15 days ago. Bought for $1million, he is a half-brother to a Grade 1 turf winner and although held at the Curragh, he ran well to the line, copes with testing ground and now wears cheekpieces. Tashakour has shown ability in two smart maidens and while unproven on testing ground, should get involved. Huff'n'puff ran well for sixth at the Curragh last October, while State Of Wyoming is a half-brother to Terebellum, who won a couple of Group 2 contests and went close in the Queen Anne. Zelani wears a hood on debut.
Prediction : 1st Shaftesbury Avenue 2nd Tashakour 3rd Huffnpuff

GALILEO DAME's most recent Flat form figures are poor, but she has been running well over hurdles and should compete in her first ever handicap start in this sphere. Well suited by testing ground, she has twice been Listed-placed on the level and Grade 1-placed over hurdles. She is suited by this test of stamina and her rating has dropped to a manageable 90. What's Your Game has winning soft-ground form and was Listed-placed last May. He should benefit from a recent Dundalk reappearance run. Taipan is ideally suited by conditions, but has plenty of weight.
Prediction : 1st Galileo Dame 2nd Whats Your Game 3rd Taipan

Curragh trainer Aidan Howard has had a few horses run well in recent weeks and it looks like he is on the cusp of a winner or two. BHEAN SAIBHRE was in fine form in both codes when last seen and handles heavy ground. She has to overcome a six-month absence, but her light weight is a positive. Grann's Boy was progressive over hurdles last year and also landed a two-mile Flat handicap at Thurles. Kool One is a C&D winner and he ran well when last seen on the Flat at Gowran Park in October, while You Make Me Smile is another dual-purpose type who finished last season on the upgrade.
Prediction : 1st Bhean Saibhre 2nd Granns Boy 3rd Kool One

Irish Derby entrant HIPPOLOGY ran a nice race when fifth over a mile here on his sole start at two. Having looked green, the Study Of Man colt came home well in the closing stages and is bred to appreciate this trip. The form of that maiden has worked out quite well too. Paddy Twomey's Trojan Fighter also holds an Irish Derby engagement and the Ulysses newcomer is likely to contend, given that his trainer usually has his horses ready first time out. Karrygrant was strong at the finish when runner-up over 7f at Leopardstown in the autumn. His sire relished fast ground and he may improve for a sounder surface later in the campaign.
Prediction : 1st Hippology 2nd Trojan Fighter 3rd Karrygrant

LADY MARY HEATH came home well when fourth in a big-field contest over a mile at the Curragh on her seasonal and handicap debut. She's not sure to get the trip, but seems to be on a competitive mark and is chosen in the hope that her stamina holds out at this stiff track. Satono Chevalier was just in front of the selection last time, but he was fit from the all-weather and doesn't have that advantage now. Convincing, back in mid-division in that same Curragh contest, will be better suited by this distance and he had some good form on easy ground last term.
Prediction : 1st Lady Mary Heath 2nd Convincing 3rd Satono Chevalier

A typically tricky early-season three-year-old handicap with more than half of these stepping out of maiden company for the first time. Off bottom weight and representing a stable in form, BALANCE OF TRADE could go well after showing potential in a couple of nurseries on testing ground. His best effort was when beaten less than two lengths at Gowran, where his finishing effort over 7f would give rise to hopes that he may see out this trip. Elm Creek and Accelereight both wear first-time headgear on handicap debut and represent respected yards, while Dreoilin has the benefit of a recent run where she stayed on over 6f in a Curragh maiden.
Prediction : 1st Balance Of Trade 2nd Elm Creek 3rd Accelereight