14:00 Navan

Tuesday 23 June 2020

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Navanracecourse.ie Handicap (45-65)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 1m 13.98s

(15)

Early Call^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 64| CD

8/1

Dual course winner last year, including this trip, has benefit of pair of recent starts for sharpness and within 3lb of previous win-mark now.

Form: 2-84256

(3)

Folie Douze⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Robbie Colgan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 64| D

100/1

Won a novice at Lingfield in early-2018 for Henry Spiller but lost way afterwards and beaten a long way on debut for this trainer at Leopardstown (1m, good; 125-1) this month. Lots to prove.

Form: 01/900-0

(7)

Face Off²³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Declan McDonogh| T: C O'Brien| OR: 62| C

8/1

Only one win from her 19 starts and best efforts have come with cut in the ground; 11lb higher than her winning mark and others preferred.

Form: 065320-

(16)

Athas An Bhean^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: L F Roche| T: A Kinsella| OR: 60

20/1

Was returning from almost two years off when 2¾L third of 13 behind re-opposing Blastofmagic in handicap over C&D (good to firm; 66-1) 13 days ago. Needs to back that up now.

Form: 06080/3

(13)

Boughtinthedark¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 60| CD

5/1

Translated some useful AW form to the turf when winning fairly comfortably over C&D 13 days ago; seems at the top of her game and could go well again though handicapper hasn't missed her.

Form: 06940-1

(10)

Ticks The Boxes¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: G M Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: L Breen| OR: 59| D

7/1

Edged out on the line by Blastofmagic over C&D 13 days ago; should be in the firing line with a repeat showing now.

Form: 3-84582

(14)

Ustinov¹¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: G P Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A M O'Shea| OR: 59| D

50/1

Three-time winner for trainer David O'Meara previously but yet to spark in eight dismal efforts for current connections. Remains easy to oppose returned to turf after a break.

Form: 0090-88

(12)

Dee Sprinter^t1²⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: A J Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: E P Harty| OR: 58

14/1

Yet to make the frame in eight starts but has shown some promise; gets a first-time tongue-tie on return to action have left Dermot Weld over the winter and worth a market check for new connections.

Form: 956660-

(2)

Blastofmagic^p,t⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: G O'Leary| OR: 56| CD

5/1

C&D winner already this month with a few of these behind; good effort since at Tipperary on softer surface (fifth) and likely can give another solid account back here.

Form: 543-815

(8)

Doonard Prince^b¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 9-7| J: M P Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 56| CD

14/1

Veteran is a C&D winner and he returned to action with a superb 50-1 runner-up finish at Naas (6f, good to firm) this month. Handicapper has left him alone and certainly not one to discount.

Form: 00105-2

(9)

Sestriere^t⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: K Prendergast| OR: 56

18/5

Second behind Boughtinthedark over C&D on this month's return to action over C&D and bettered than when ¾L third of 15 at Tipperary (5f, yielding) since; coming home very strongly. Entitled to be right in the firing line with tongue-strap back on.

Form: 5030-23

(5)

Chagall²⁰⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen⁽³⁾| T: E Lynam| OR: 54

20/1

Lone win from 17 starts was over 7f at Cork last September but went close over this C&D subsequently and on same mark now. Possibly may need the run here but market informative.

Form: 140053-

(4)

Very Smart^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: K J Leonard| T: G B Caldwell| OR: 48

40/1

First start for this trainer and well down the field on seasonal bow at Gowran Park (7f, good to firm; 22-1) earlier in the month. May be caught for toe over this trip.

Form: 48080-0

(11)

Frow^h1²⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: D Donovan| OR: 45

66/1

Unconvincing maiden, did run a better race in first-time cheekpieces at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in August when last spotted but returning from a break with more demanded in first-time hood. Wayne Lordan a positive booking.

Form: 0/04996-

(1)

Reaper Man²⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: E Kent| OR: 45

125/1

Seemingly has had his problems; making it to the racecourse just once in 2019 when finishing some 23L behind Chegall at Cork over 7f. All to prove on formbook returning to action.

Form: 67/000-

Non-Runners

(6)

Plough Boy⁵

Weight: 10-6| Age: 9

T: G Donnelly J: S M Crosse

Forecasts

Sestriere (18/5), Boughtinthedark (5/1), Blastofmagic (5/1), Ticks The Boxes (7/1), Plough Boy (7/1), Face Off (8/1), Early Call (8/1), Doonard Prince (14/1), Dee Sprinter (14/1), Chagall (20/1), Athas An Bhean (20/1), Very Smart (40/1), Ustinov (50/1), Frow (66/1), Folie Douze (100/1), Reaper Man (125/1)

Boughtinthedark was a comfortable scorer over C&D 13 days ago with a much-improved performance on her return to action. She can go well again but the handicapper has asked a tough question now. Runner-up that evening was SESTRIERE and Kevin Prendergast's filly makes plenty appeal on revised terms. She has also run another fine race at Tipperary since, despite a slow break, over shorter and looks sure to go close now. Penalised Fairyhouse winner Plough Boy joins Early Call, Ticks The Boxes and veteran Doonard Prince in completing the shortlist.