2.00 Lynn Lodge Stud Irish

EBF Maiden 5f

There was only a head separating Kansas and Amiata when they clashed at Naas on their respective debuts four weeks ago, and Amiata, who was sent off the 11/8 favourite on that occasion, is taken to confirm his superiority for Ger Lyons. Progeny of Dark Angel are often beaten on debut before finding plenty of improvement for the experience, and it’s certainly conceivable there could be a nice chunk of improvement to come from him now.

The learnings from another run since that clash for Kansas won’t be any harm. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, by Wootton Bassett, finished second to a useful-looking stablemate at the Curragh on Guineas weekend over six furlongs and it’s possible that reverting to the minimum distance now will serve him well.

SELECTION: AMIATA

Next best: Kansas

2.35 Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now

Handicap 5f

Fair Taxes deserves a change of luck for Ross O’Sullivan and can take advantage of an attractive low weight to get back on winning tracks after five consecutive runs picking up prize money without winning. He couldn’t sustain his effort after being right in the firing line at Chester last time, but he still ran respectably enough in sixth and the third has since won a listed race (fourth also beaten only a short-head next time). Jamie Powell’s 3lb claim helps offset the fact he’s 1lb out of the handicap.

It’s not too difficult to make cases for a few of these, though. Ostraka will appreciate returning to handicaps from blacktype company and has been given a chance by the assessor, while Apache Outlaw had a right crack at a premier handicap at the Curragh on Guineas weekend when fifth and still looks on a competitive turf mark. With the Danny McLoughlin string in top form, Bold Optimist can’t be dismissed easily either.

SELECTION: FAIR TAXES

Next best: Ostraka

3.15 Navan Handicap 5f

Rappell has won and been second from just four visits here and could be a lively each-way player for Paul Flynn and in-form rider Joey Sheridan. It wasn’t a bad effort by any means from the three-time winner when beaten a length and three quarters from the widest draw of all at Listowel last weekend, and this looks a workable type of grade for the top-weight if back to his best. The less rain that falls, the better his chance.

Surpass And Shine and Irish Rumour, first and second at Naas four weeks ago, should be thereabouts once more, while An Laochmor is in consistent form and races off a lovely weight of 8st 8lb. Stanhope is getting on in years as an 11-year-old but he never seems to run a bad race around here and is competing off a dangerously low mark at his best track.

SELECTION: RAPPELL

Next best: Stanhope

3.55 Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 1m

This represents a nice drop in class for Red Letter, having been beaten two and three quarter lengths in seventh in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her seasonal reappearance, and she should be able to take full advantage of this lighter task. Her form with standout three-year-old filly Lake Victoria last season, both in a Curragh maiden and when fourth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, reads extremely strongly in the context of this race.

Queen Of Thunder is a very much unexposed and showed her wellbeing at Killarney last month so warrants respect. Thalara is rated 5lb inferior but brings a solid profile to the table after back-to-back placed efforts in listed company the last twice. She should enjoy the stiff mile around here.

SELECTION: RED LETTER

Next best: Thalara

4.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden 1m 2f

Provided she’s not found wanting for the run after a layoff, Edge Of Seventeen makes most appeal in a manageable-looking maiden - especially with the Jessica Harrington team rattling in a few winners again this week. She had an excuse for her last start when found to be slightly lame post race, and her debut third at Naas was encouraging.

Johnny Murtagh has his string in good order too and his Treasure Rose shaped with some encouragement on her Gowran debut when fifth last month. She rates a likely improver. Faberi and Saxon Belle may have progression to come too.

SELECTION: EDGE OF SEVENTEEN

Next best: Treasure Rose

5.05 Balreask Bar, Catering At Navan Racecourse Handicap

1m 6f

A competitive affair and how much rain arrives to ease conditions by this stage of the card will be worth paying attention to. Apologise, fresh from a successful season over hurdles, probably wouldn’t mind a cut underfoot and might well be on a decent flat mark of 70 - especially with Sam Coen taking off a further 7lb.

This will be Zariygann’s first start after 209 days and a switch to Martin Brassil’s stable. He’s worth a market check, as is the returning Granite Bay, while Nans View is one who should relish the rain. Ragmans Corner fired a warning shot at Roscommon last time, Burren Song will enjoy the drop in class and the in-form Palamon adds further depth to proceedings.

SELECTION: APOLOGISE

Next best: Zariygann

5.35 Cusack Hotel Group

Family Raceday July 13th

Handicap 1m 5f

Whispering Hopes was by no means a spent force when falling two out in a weak mares’ maiden hurdle at Tipperary last month and this looks a nice opportunity for her to get her confidence back up on the flat for local connections. She ran well in a similar event here last year and has a nice flat mark, judged on her hurdles ability.

Omakase won well at Gowran last time and is 6lb higher, but crucially manages to stay in this basement grade so must be respected. Slieve Bearnagh can be relied on to get into the mix again. This is his first try at a trip this far on the flat, and it’s probably worth a try to see if it can eke out the required improvement from his recent runs.

SELECTION: WHISPERING HOPES

Next best: Omakase