13:35 Navan

Saturday 20 January 2018

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Navan Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 5m 40.90s

Yaha Fizz²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: E D Delany| OR: 136| C

7/1

Rattled off the wins last winter, looking most progressive, and came back with a solid effort on first run this time around, finishing second at Punchestown. Not so good latest, and now tries a new trip, so has questions to answer.

Form: 111-236

Burren Life²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| D

9/2

Twice a winner in heavy ground last year, so conditions fine, and stays further too so won't fail for lack of stamina. Back to form when third in a Grade 2 at Limerick latest and looks sure to be on the premises again here.

Form: 5-13123

Mon Lino^p1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Nolan| OR: 132

7/1

Looked to be on the up last year, with three wins in hurdles but disappointed on latest start and now connections go for the cheekpieces in an effort to get him back on track. Bit to prove now and drop back in trip possibly not ideal either.

Form: 17-113P

Lion In His Heart²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 127

14/1

Not the most consistent but back to form when a decent third to an improving sort at Leopardstown latest (weak in market). Back up in trip here and softer ground to contend with, but chances if that wasn't a flash in the pan.

Form: 33R0P3

Half The Odds³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 125| D

7/2

Good winner at Galway last October, quite highly tried in two starts since then but nothing wrong with her fourth to Next Destination in a Grade 2 last time out and this a bit easier. Conditions ideal and looks one of the main players.

Form: 217-144

Returntovendor^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: I J McCarthy| T: J P Fahey| OR: 125| D

14/1

Put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him when bouncing back to form to win a competitive Punchestown handicap last time out. 6lb higher here but may be back on track now, so with conditions and trip fine, can't be discounted.

Form: 131-001

Miles To Memphis^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: M A Enright| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 123| C

7/1

Useful and consistent dual-purpose horse, turned in another solid effort when a staying-on third over this trip at Leopardstown over Christmas and this admirable sort looks sure to run his race under similar conditions. Each way chances at worst.

Form: P128-43

Templemore Dream²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 125| D

10/1

Flew home to win a Wexford maiden hurdle last October and although form of that questionable, nothing wrong with subsequent Punchestown second. Has to bounce back after below par effort last time but early days , so may do that.

Form: 5127

Monotype²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 121

12/1

Hadn't looked to be going anywhere fast but turned that around with a good win at Limerick last time out, positive tactics seemingly proving the key. Needs more again here but clearly going the right way now, and handles heavy ground.

Form: 825-861

Hareth²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Phillip Enright| T: C Byrnes| OR: 115

8/1

Winner at Limerick last April but has paid the price for that and handicapper has looked in charge on his latest couple of starts. May be a little out of his comfort zone here and not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 31-2F36

Forecasts

Half The Odds (7/2), Burren Life (9/2), Miles To Memphis (7/1), Yaha Fizz (7/1), Mon Lino (7/1), Hareth (8/1), Templemore Dream (10/1), Monotype (12/1), Lion In His Heart (14/1), Returntovendor (14/1)

There's not much to choose between these on the figures, so it may be that class will out and BURREN LIFE , who acts so well in these conditions, will appreciate this easier task and be able to give the weight away. A decent gallop should be on the cards, with Yaha Fizz likely to make it, and that can only help his cause. Monotype might be the danger if building on his Limerick win, but he too might just set it up for the selection. Half The Odds and Miles To Memphis are both likely to be around when the medals are given out.