Navan – Saturday 12th March

It was nice to have a needed day off to recharge the batteries yesterday after what has been a hectic last week or two. The racing this weekend is surprisingly lively given the proximity to Cheltenham and I will be taking a look at a few of the races from Navan today and fingers crossed we can find a winner or two from them, which might give us some well needed funds for the coffers next week. 

Starting at 2.15, with the second division of the 2m maiden hurdle and although Dartington is a very short favorite in this race and will likely take a lot of beating, he is far too short to even be considering having a bet. Instead, my preference lies with Morning Logic, who is a very well regarded horse from the small Tom Coyle yard. This horse has only got the one run under his belt so far in his career, when running a huge race to come second on his bumper debut, with the winner subsequently sold to the UK for decent money. He was arguably a little bit unlucky that day and he should make a good horse over hurdles. This seems a very fair place to start his hurdling career, and at a price of 13/2 with Paddy Power – he looks a fair each way price. 

The 3.25 race is one of the better races on the card and this 2m6f novice hurdle sees a horse at the top of the betting that was very close to being on the boat over to Cheltenham, but connections have decided against their first instincts. The horse in question is Daily Present, who represents a Paul Nolan team who have had a superb year with their horses and this horse looks like one of their most exciting young horses. Daily Present was second on his hurdling debut, before bolting up last time out, with the second and third both winning since also. He had been left in the novice hurdles at Prestbury Park up until this week which shows you that connections were strongly considering it, but have gone down this route instead and will be hoping their decision is vindicated. At a price of 2/1, he has a great chance. 

The final selection of the day for me comes in the 4.35 race, which is the 3m novice handicap chase final and this race looks typically competitive with plenty of these in with a chance. It was very difficult siding between two horses I have a lot of time for in this race, with Mercury Lane and Call The Tune. I have decided to side with the former, who is off a basement mark and is finally returning to this trip over fences having been campaigned over much shorter distances this year. However, he was a 3m winner over hurdles last season and he is extremely well handicapped based on some of that form from last year. He comes here off a mark of 116 after an encouraging effort over 2m4f last time out, where seemingly unable to go the early gallop. If returning in better form and is able to find a better rhythm early on in his race, he should not be far away. At a price of 4/1, with Paddy Power paying out 4 places, I am hoping he goes very close here.