Navan afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, June 8
- Enda McElhinney
- 7 June 2024
There's a double-helping of Irish racing on Saturday afternoon, with jumps fare from Punchestown joined by a competitive Flat card at Navan that is headlined by the Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes.
That's one of seven races at the Co Meath venue as they race from 13:45 - 17:15 on Saturday afternoon and Enda McElhinney has race-by-race selections for the Navan card for Planet Sport readers after a 41/1 treble at Listowel last Saturday.
Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)
13:45 (Navan) Rebel Diamond
The opening maiden over 5f should find Alfred Tennyson for Aidan O'Brien and Red Evolution for Michael O'Callaghan near the front of the market as they are likely improvers from decent efforts first time out.
The other Ballydoyle representative, Celtic Chieftain, fetched 450,000 gns as a yearling and makes plenty appeal on paper.
Rebel Diamond shaped well for a long way on debut over 6f on soft ground at the Curragh five weeks ago in a maiden from which the principles have all since done well.
Natalia Lupini's representative could outrun a decent price in the hands of bang in-form pilot Billy Lee now.
14:20 (Navan) Pro Bono Alexander
Pro Bono Alexander ran below expectations here three weeks ago but she didn't make the best of starts and, given her fondness for racing on the speed, was at a disadvantage.
A bounce back in this smaller field is possible. Mehman was clear of the selection in that race, finishing third after meeting some traffic, but has a 1-13 turf strike-rate and has struggled from marks as high as this in the past.
The only filly in the line-up might just leave the geldings in trouble if making a fast start this time.
14:55 (Navan) My Girl Sioux
A trappy event in which it might pay to give long-standing maiden My Girl Sioux a chance for Andy Slattery.
Her recent efforts back on turf have been encouraging, including over this course and distance in May, and she can go well again with the application of a first-time tongue-strap in a wide open contest.
15:30 (Navan) Asian Daze
The feature Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes is a Fillies' & Mares' contest over the mile trip with €33,000 on offer to the winner with the 102-rated Everlasting for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore taking a drop in class after contesting the Irish 1000 Guineas recently.
The Kingman filly has leading claims in this company but Johnny Murtagh's Asian Daze ran well in this in the Spring Fillies Handicap at Curragh behind a progressive winner in Zaynab.
She is a danger to all now despite the rise into Listed company and should give a good account of herself.
16:05 (Navan) Gibbs Island
Glor Tire is on a four-timer for Jim Bolger and had something to spare under 10lb claimer Gabriella Hill at Leopardstown on Thursday evening, but the Teofilo filly has more to do under the penalty now.
Handicap debutant Old Faithful commands respect for the O'Brien/Moore axis but Gibbs Island has nothing to find with him on their recent Naas clash and finds himself a couple of pounds better off now.
Andy Oliver has secured Billy Lee and they have leading claims in this TRI Equestrian Handicap Premier Handicap.
16:40 (Navan) Declaree
Declaree has run well in both starts for Johnny Murtagh and was just denied at Cork (1m2f, good) in a maiden last month behind Dermot Weld's Harbour Gem.
The third ran well since in a useful handicap at the Curragh (form that will be tested here by Asian Daze in the feature race).
This Fastnet Rock filly should be landing a maiden soon and any improvement in first-time cheekpieces could make today her day.
17:15 (Navan) Fleetfootsoldier
A big-field finale with 23 set to contest this handicap over an extended mile-and-a-quarter.
Cases can be made for plenty but Fleetfootsoldier was only having his second start for trainer John McConnell when coming from a long way back to finish sixth of 18 over this distance here last month.
A tongue-tie is added now and he's unexposed at this trip, while this race represents a slight ease in grade too.
