Navan Racecourse presents its latest Flat meeting on Thursday afternoon, with a seven-race card consisting of five handicaps and two maiden contests. Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Navan card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who offer all the latest horse racing odds.
Up first is a nursery handicap over six furlongs (2.30). Kieran Cotter’s Prairie Echoes won her handicap debut at Sligo earlier in the month, for which she has been penalised in the weights, so it might be worth looking elsewhere. Monte Vista is of interest in first-time blinkers, which could help him go one better than when second of 12 last time out at the Curragh, but Glamazon mustn’t be underestimated having been just behind Prairie Echoes last time.
Race two is a six-furlong handicap (3.00). Michael Mulvany’s Genesis won his last start on the all-weather at Dundalk, and is a fairly consistent performer who has a chance of another good run now back on turf, where his mark is a pound below his all-weather rating. John Kinsella’s Moltophino should be considered also, after a good run for fourth of 12 last time at Cork over the minimum trip.
Next is a five-furlong two-year-olds’ maiden (3.30). Countertop and Strike Zone are the only newcomers of the field of 12, the latter probably being the best of the two on pedigree and coming from a yard doing especially well with juveniles this term. He will have to be good to beat Johnny Murtagh’s Namiid, though, who picked up black-type by placing in a Listed contest at the Curragh two weeks ago, and this should be his opportunity to win.
The fourth race is a two-year-olds’ claiming maiden over a mile (4.00). Gavin Cromwell’s Guildhall Graduate is the only debutant, but it’s easy to look elsewhere here. The Jessica Harrington-trained Strikewhileitshot could be the one to side with here after running second at Leopardstown last time out behind Coolmore’s talented Montreal, but Ipanema Beach is the one he has to get past, giving him five pounds when his claiming rider is factored in.
Following is a mile handicap (4.30). Dermot Weld’s Medieval Night was good on handicap debut at Leopardstown last time, second of 21, but has been raised five pounds in the weights. At the bottom of the handicap here, though, he could get involved again. Ger Lyons’ Daler has now slipped to a very workable mark and could be the winner here under Gary Carroll.
The penultimate race is a three-year-olds’ handicap over a mile and three quarters (5.05). Earthsong makes her handicap debut and steps up in trip, which could be the making of her, but her maiden form promises little at present. God The Highness looks to be the one to beat here, having been only just beaten last time out over this trip at Sligo and coming from a yard experiencing plenty of success at present.
Our finale is another handicap over the mile and three quarter trip (5.35). Arcland looks likely to factor after a good second of 13 last time out, while Maxwell Smart might be a player too if leaving a disappointing performance at Down Royal last time behind him. Ballycommon Chapel switched codes to the Flat with ease at Tramore last time, winning over two miles, and could be a major player in this race too, especially as she is given seven pounds by her rider.
Navan selections – Thursday:
2.30 – Glamazon
3.00 – Genesis
3.30 – Namiid
4.00 – Ipanema Beach
4.30 – Daler
5.05 – God The Highness
5.35 – Ballycommon Chapel
