SHAMROCK AT NAVAN: We preview a good card at Navan on Saturday.
Getting the day started is the 5½f fillies maiden (1.20pm), and this looks a very competitive affair. With a couple of debutants in here it might pay to stick with one that has already had their first day at school. Arinniti went close at Naas on her racecourse debut when finishing second and having changed trainer since, Paddy Twomey’s charge may be the safest option.
Travelling over the minimum distance in the next race the two-year-old nursery handicap looks equally trappy (1.55pm). Silmaniya has gone off favourite and been the bridesmaid on her last three outings, even losing out to another of today’s rivals in Tiger Paw. However, the daughter of Expert Eye is taken to finally get her nose in front and kick off a winning sequence.
The 5f handicap (2.30pm) looks an open contest and with a big field it might be worth siding with Tai Sing Yeh under Colin Keane. The eight-year-old gelding is a course and distance winner here and having finished second the last day at Gowran Park over seven furlongs, the drop back in trip should suit the son of Exceed And Excel.
Another 5f handicap (3.05pm) where again we are going to be siding with one that has been hitting the crossbar recently. Having switched yards this season, Curraheen Princess’ recent form is strong, and since winning two in a row at Navan she has finished second on her last three outings. The four-year-old filly is a consistent sort who will be sure to run her race.
The 1m fillies maiden (3.40pm) can go the way of Redressed. Ger Lyons and Colin Keane team up with this Juddmonte filly who went close on debut last month despite running green. She’ll have learnt a lot from her first day at school and it would be no surprise to see her run a big race.
Gracesolution is taken to get back to winning ways in the 1m2f apprentice handicap (4.15pm). Having racked up a quick double a couple of months back, she was then stepped up in trip where she disappointed. Coming back down to her preferred distance should make the difference and Jake Coen is value for his small claim.
Gavin Cromwell can get on the board in the 1m2f apprentice race (4.50pm) with Jazzelle. She was tried over obstacles at the start of the year and that didn’t seem to work out so after a long break followed by a pipe opener last month, she should be back to her winning self and will have no qualms about coming here as a proven course winner.
The 1m6f handicap (5.25pm) can go the way of Benz for team Gordon Elliott. The plucky four-year-old had a strong August with a win over hurdles at Tramore and then a second at this course last week on the flat. He can go one better in this weaker looking contest.
