Navan afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, May 18
Navan racecourse
Forget the Lockinge at Newbury, there's some quality racing on the Emerald Isle too, with an eight-race offering from Navan spearheaded by the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes on May 18.
They race at Navan from 13:20-17:25 on ground set to be 'good to yielding-yielding in places' and our Irish racing expert Enda McElhinney has selections for every race.
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)
Saturday's Navan selections in full:
13:20 (Navan) Sounds Like A Plan
13:55 (Navan) Step Back In Time
14:30 (Navan) Kay's Flower
15:05 (Navan) Pro Bono Alexander
15:40 (Navan) The Equator
16:15 (Navan) Dollar Value
16:50 (Navan) Say You're Sorry
17:25 (Navan) Rock Of Ireland
13:20 (Navan) Sounds Like A Plan
Ballydoyle newcomer Tunbridge Wells is a nicely-bred son of No Nay Never and should be to the fore on debut.
But Andy Oliver's Night Of Thunder colt Sounds Like A Plan is also bred for the job and the £58,000 purchase should have the pace to be a leading contender under Billy Lee.
Recent course and distance third Dr Ali is best of those with a run.
13:55 (Navan) Step Back In Time
Step Back In Time was a winner over course and distance last season, scoring on similar ground to this in September.
That remains her sole turf success after 12 runs but she has twice shaped with some promise over track and trip this season and is easing down in the ratings now.
14:30 (Navan) Kay's Flower
Back Down Under is becoming something of a frustration for Padraig Roche but could have a race of this ilk in her.
The Ger Lyons-trained newcomer Kay's Flower should have the requisite speed to go about her business on debut in the hands of the champion jockey and is worth chancing against some exposed rivals.
15:05 (Navan) Pro Bono Alexander
Last weekend's Naas scorer Mehman comes here with a fighting chance from 6lb higher for Ger O'Leary and Shane Foley but this is wide open and it may pay to side with Pro Bono Alexander.
She had just one turf run in 2022 for previous connections and has really found her stride on the all-weather of late, with figures of 121 in her last three starts.
This asks more but she was well on top last time at Wolverhampton.
15:40 (Navan) The Equator
Aidan O'Brien is seeking a fifth win in the last six runnings of this Listed feature race and he saddles both Gasper De Lemos and The Equator.
The former comes out best on ratings but was beaten on reappearance at Newmarket and Leopardstown maiden winner The Equator could be the answer now under Dylan McMonagle.
The Galileo colt beat a couple of useful rivals over 1m2f last time and could offer plenty more up in trip on just his third start.
16:15 (Navan) Dollar Value
A tough contest. Dollar Value showed plenty spark on seasonal comeback at Gowran Park last month over this sort of trip, going clear before the two-furlong pole before eventually settling for third spot.
That run should have done the nine-year-old no harm and, from the same mark, he can have a say in the finish again.
16:50 (Navan) Say You're Sorry
Say You're Sorry remains a maiden after seven runs but the gelding showed a bit more last time at Dundalk sporting a tongue-tie and hood for the first time.
He was left with plenty to do in that 1m2½f contest and made some good late progress to be fourth.
The headgear is retained now and he tackles this extended trip for the first time. He's more open to progress than some of these.
17:25 (Navan) Rock Of Ireland
Naturally Nimble for Joseph O'Brien and Galileo colt Blackpool for Aidan O'Brien are open to progress but Rock Of Ireland can take out the Navan finale for Barry Fitzgerald.
He was having first turf run (second start) and first outing since November when just touched off over C&D last month by Donnacha O'Brien's debutant Unavoidable.
The pair were six-lengths clear of a next-time-out winner and Luke McAteer's partner really battled after being headed at the furlong pole. Compensation awaits them now.
READ MORE: Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Best bets for Newbury and Newmarket on May 18
