Navan afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, March 23

They have a seven-race card at the County Meath venue and Irish racing tipster Enda McElhinney marks your card for Saturday afternoon's action from the Emerald Isle.

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)

 

14:17 (Navan) Rainbow Trail

A field of 16 are engaged in the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle but this shouldn't be as competitive as the numbers imply and it looks a really nice opening for Gordon Elliott's Rainbow Trail to open his account over hurdles.

He split a useful pair at Naas last time in Tounsivator and Shoot The Blues, with more than 10-lengths in hand on the re-opposing mare Well Dressed in fourth.

He won his bumper on heavy ground, so conditions hold no fears, and he can get Jack Kennedy off to a flyer on what could be a fine afternoon for him.

 

14:50 (Navan) Instant Tendance

A quick-fire double could be in the offing for the Elliott/Kennedy alliance.

Instant Tendance won a course and distance maiden (heavy) by five-lengths 21 days ago and has scope for further progress now. Jockey bookings indicate she's preferred over stablemate Purse Price.

A close watch is needed on the Emmet Mullins-trained Pinky. She hasn't shown much on track but this handicap debut could be a different story.

Circus Act should run her usual solid race but is exposed enough now.

 

15:25 (Navan) Iceberg Theory

Yet again, Elliott and Kennedy have strong claims via Lightkeeper but he's been beaten fair and square in four runs since Christmas and preference now is for Paul Nolan's runner, Iceberg Theory.

The Fleminsfirth gelding ran well in a trio of maidens over this sort of trip at Cork, Wexford and Limerick earlier in the season, all of those outings coming on testing ground.

He's back from a short break now and won't need to improve much for the fitting of a pair of cheekpieces to get on the scoresheet in this Wesco Electrical Maiden Hurdle.

 

15:58 (Navan) Chapeau De Soleil

Twoohthree won as he pleased on hurdling bow at Leopardstown recently for the Elliott team but that was a contest in which the odds-on favourite pulled up and the form may have very little substance to it.

By contrast, Chapeau De Soleil's December maiden win at Clonmel on heavy ground is solid if not spectacular form. Willie Mullins thought enough of him to send him to the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas in January, where his jumping let him a bit down in more esteemed company.

He should appreciate dropping in class now and, one of just two runners on this card for the champion trainer/jockey combo, can ensure they don't leave empty-handed.

 

16:33 (Navan) Ask Anything

The €36,000 feature race on the card and it looks a competitive 11-runner affair, with respect due to recent Naas winner Battle It Out and Paul Marvel after his Leopardstown silver medal last time.

Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue were seen to excellent effect at Cheltenham recently and Ask Anything is a likely contender in this Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final.

Stamina was key for him at Down Royal in his 2m4f Christmas success and he ran well enough back there in January over much shorter. A first-time tongue-tie is added today and this extra distance really promises to benefit the three-mile point-to-point winner.

 

17:08 (Navan) Hardwired

Dutch Schultz was staying on well over shorter at Clonmel last time but the stiff finish here will test his resolve and so Hardwired looks the likeliest winner for trainer Ted Walsh.

He was better than ever when scoring at Punchestown in January and while he drops significantly in trip, the booking of Jack Kennedy is eye-catching from this shrewd trainer and he has a 20 per-cent strike-rate for the yard.

 

17:38 (Navan) Mywayofthinkin

A rare bumper in which Willie Mullins isn't represented. Mywayofthinkin was second to one with prior experience at Leopardstown during their Christmas Festival and that form has been advertised since by the third winning decisively here in February.

Rider Derek O'Connor was mightily impressive in all that he did at the Cheltenham Festival last week and can steer home another winner now on home soil.

Navan selections in full:

NAVAN: 14:17 Rainbow Trail, 14:50 Instant Tendance, 15:25 Iceberg Theory, 15:58 Chapeau De Soleil, 16:33 Ask Anything, 17:08 Hardwired, 17:38 Mywayofthinkin