UK Horse Racing Tips: Navan

AN LAOCHMOR comes here fit from the all-weather and may be able to complete a hat-trick. He has done really well since joining Danny Murphy and the trainer felt he might still be nicely handicapped after his win at Dundalk at the start of the month. Arctic Steps has been knocking on the door at Dundalk and is another who is respected with Reese Holohan taking off a useful 7lb. Step Back In Time loves it here, having won four over course and distance, and is next best.
Prediction : 1st An Laochmor 2nd Arctic Steps 3rd Step Back In Time

There are some nicely-bred newcomers in this and TRIBECA appeals on debut. The Blue Point colt was a 575,000-pound purchase by Amo Racing as a yearling and is from a strong Moyglare family. His dam is a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Carla Bianca and a half-sister to the dam of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs. Ballydoyle colt West Of Eden is by No Nay Never and is well related. Joseph O'Brien's string is flying and he introduces King Of Cloughan.
Prediction : 1st Tribeca 2nd West Of Eden 3rd King Of Cloughan

It's hard to look past CHARLES DARWIN, who could be an exciting prospect in the sprinting division this season. The No Nay Never colt ended his juvenile campaign with an impressive success in Group 2 company at Royal Ascot in June. He wasn't seen after that but showed his well-being with an eyecatching piece of work at the Curragh a few weeks ago. Silk Braid made a good impression when winning on her debut at the Curragh in October and it will be interesting to see how she measures up. She gets a nice 10lb pull at the weights. Former Ballydoyle inmate Frescobaldi has joined Danny Murphy, who does well with sprinting types. He's another to note.
Prediction : 1st Charles Darwin 2nd Silk Braid 3rd Frescobaldi

Connections will be hoping that SCANDINAVIA can become the latest Ballydoyle star performer in the staying division and he looks hard to oppose on his comeback run. The Justify colt beat his older stablemate Illinois in the Goodwood Cup last season before running out a game winner of the St Leger. He goes down the Kyprios route by starting his campaign here. Carmers wasn't beaten far behind the selection when fifth at Doncaster. He's still fairly unexposed and could improve again this year. Emit was a little disappointing on his return, but may improve a bit from that outing.
Prediction : 1st Scandinavia 2nd Carmers 3rd Emit

A tricky enough contest and EMMELEIA may prove the answer. The Camelot filly made a winning return at Dundalk at the start of the month and that form has been given a boost since, with stablemate Eretria going on to score impressively in Leopardstown. She holds Oaks entries at Epsom and the Curragh and is highly regarded. Aidan O'Brien saddles three, with Ryan Moore taking the mount on Ice Dancer. This Wootton Bassett filly was staying on when third in Group 3 company on her final outing last term and should improve for a trip this year. Thundering On was ahead of Ice Dancer when second in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes and also has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Emmeleia 2nd Ice Dancer 3rd Thundering On

LATIN AMERICA ran a nice race on his debut at the Curragh and can strike now. The Gleneagles colt chased home easy winner Shaihaan and the form has been boosted since with the third horse, stablemate Asakir, winning well at Leopardstown. Genchev sets the standard with his mark of 83 and had some solid form last season. The maiden in which he was fourth to Endorsement at Tipperary has worked out well. Huff'n'puff was a promising third to Shaftesbury Avenue on his return here late last month and is another who has to be considered.
Prediction : 1st Latin America 2nd Genchev 3rd Huffnpuff

OBSCENITY kept on without troubling the first two on his return at Bellewstown and may be able to strike for his in-form yard. The Fastnet Rock gelding had run well at the Curragh on his final start last season and a more galloping track may suit. Justenzia chased home Matt Connor on her return at Gowran Park earlier this month and could be a big player, despite a 4lb rise for that effort. Pedro The Poet has shown a bit of ability in all-weather maidens and could be one to note on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Obscenity 2nd Justenzia 3rd Pedro The Poet

CELTIC DRUID comes here in fine form from the all-weather and may be able to land his hat-trick. The Churchill gelding overcame some traffic problems to run out a cosy winner at Dundalk just over two weeks ago. He got a 9lb hike for that, but may be able to strike again before the handicapper catches up. Trubshaw was a cosy winner when last seen at the Curragh in October. He also runs off a 9lb higher mark, but there could still be upside with the four-year-old. Earthsong was a solid fourth on her return here late last month and could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Druid 2nd Trubshaw 3rd Earthsong