Navan – Saturday 5th March

It has been a slow start to the month and that has been by design in certain ways and also the racing has not been conducive for good betting propositions. As much as the thought of Leopardstown’s card on Sunday having me salivating at the lips, even today’s action from Navan is not the most inspiring card you’ll ever see and chances of backing winners at good value look fairly thin on the ground. As a result, it is a very mixed bag of horses being put up today.

Starting off with the opening maiden hurdle over 2m and the 1.10 race sees one of my favorites line up in this race and I will be hoping it is fourth time lucky over hurdles for Vera Verto. For those eagle eyed, you might remember that I actually made a case for this mare to go to Cheltenham in the Boodles and unfortunately despite being entered for the race, she is too far down the weights to make it in. As a result, she is coming here to hopefully get off the mark before attacking handicaps at the home spring festivals. Her form this year looks strong in the book behind some useful types and this race does not look like it is up to much. Gavin Cromwell has not been operating in his brilliant best form since the new year, but I feel they might be bubbling under the surface and things could yet change. At a price of 6/4 with Paddy Power, she is short but a bet for me. 

The 2.48 race is the 2m4f handicap hurdle and although the Tony Martin trained favorite must have a great chance of backing up again, I would be a little bit skeptical about backing him at the current prices. Instead, I am going to be siding with the Eddie Cawley team, and I will be backing Chosen Diamond in this race. Having shown throughout his career that this trip on softer ground will be the key to this horse, he ran a very eye-catching race at Fairyhouse the last day when coming third at a big price. That was off a mark of 98 and he has only been nudged up a further pound on this occasion, which seems more than fair. With conditions likely to suit this horse again, a price of 7/1 with Paddy Power, who are offering 4 places, looks a fair each way bet

And finally for the day, the 5.05 race is the mares handicap chase over 2m4f and this time around, it could well be a McNally horse that spoils the party as All Class, could still prove to be a very well handicapped horse. However, Norwigi may also be equally well handicapped and despite a desperate run the last day, this mare has a lot of ability. She beat Western Zara comfortably in a maiden hurdle last season, and she has proven herself to be a decent mare, and some of her chasing form leaves a bit to be desired this year. However, it does give off the sense that handicaps have more been in target for this horse and if reproducing some of her best efforts, she will be back there in this race. At a price of 8/1 with Paddy Power, who are offering 4 places – she should be backed each way.