1.07 Lynn Lodge Stud Irish EBF Maiden 5f

Less than a length separated Desert Alchemist and Hanney Bay last month at Cork, but it doesn’t appear to have been as strong a race as that in which Cleodolinda finished second on debut.

She flew home once the penny dropped late and the well-backed third subsequently ran another smart race in defeat. Stablemate Away And Gone was well-supported on debut (finished seventh) and may be worth another chance.

There are also plenty of intriguing newcomers, including Michael O’Callaghan’s 160,000gns breeze-up buy Spirit Of Mann, Robson de Aguiar’s recent recruit Rejoinder and Arrowstock, who has a precocious pedigree.

SELECTION: CLEODOLINDA

Next best: Rejoinder

1.42 Navan Racing Festival

Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now

Handicap 5f

A case can be made for all seven in this select field, three of whom ran in last month’s Habitat Handicap, with just half a length separating Bodhi Bear and The Highway Rat.

The latter looks the horse to follow, given that it was his first start since October. However, Bodhi Bear may have the upper hand over five furlongs on soft ground (plenty of rain forecast on today).

The ground and trip will suit Stag Night, who is running off 5lb higher than when winning a Curragh handicap last time.

The runner-up has gone on to strengthen the form, rising from a rating of 79 that day to 96 now, suggesting that Stag Night is capable of running well off his current mark.

Kerdos appeals off his best form and it’s hoped that the tongue-tie will help to improve his consistency following mixed results in stakes races.

SELECTION: BODHI BEAR

Next best: Stag Night

2.17 Book Your Hospitality Now For Navan Racing Festival Handicap 5f

Several come here in good form, but Sommelier is unlikely to be allowed such a clear lead as he enjoyed at the Curragh on Wednesday, while Hugo’s Girl isn’t bred to appreciate this drop in trip.

Preference instead is for Alnofoor, who has won two of his last three starts for Claire O’Connell.

His March win came here, while his April win came over this trip, and he remains at a realistic mark.

Jordan Breeze’s recent win came over this trip on soft ground at Cork and he races off just 2lb higher today. Asdana finished third in this last year and races off 7lb lower, giving her a strong chance of returning to winning ways. The often-placed five-year-old maiden Happy Henry has been expensive to follow.

SELECTION: ALNOFOOR

Next best: Jordan Breeze

2.52 Navan Handicap 5f 180yd

Nouvel Espoir appears well treated off 64, having run a fine race off 2lb higher here last time out.

His third may have been downgraded by the fact that he was six lengths behind the runner-up, but he beat seven rivals rated significantly higher than him and the way he finished suggests he’ll appreciate today’s extra half furlong.

There wasn’t much between I Bid You Ajou and Aurora Nova at Listowel last time out, and the mare appeals more today as her rival is having his third start in two weeks (albeit he went into the notebook following the Habitat Handicap two starts ago at the Curragh).

Jon Riggens was a beaten favourite at the Curragh on Wednesday, having caught the eye on his prior start, but the reapplication of visors may help the eight-year-old bounce back.

Greek Flower has been frustrating to follow but having dropped down to her lowest mark in over two years, another win must surely be around the corner soon.

SELECTION: NOUVEL ESPOIR

Next best: Jon Riggens

3.27 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hill Of Tara Stakes (Listed) 1m 1f

Group 1-winning juvenile and Irish Guineas third Hotazhell is the obvious choice on his four-year-old return.

His winter break shouldn’t be a problem, given that his classic placing came after a similar absence, he’s proven to handle soft ground and has run with great credit over similar trips exceeding a mile.

The lightly-raced Hazdann, trained by Dermot Weld, must have encountered roadblocks last season, but the Night Of Thunder colt’s form holds plenty of class – he could be anything and market support will guide. Isaac Newton and Wemightakedlongway, meanwhile, have yet to reproduce the talent they showed last season.

SELECTION: HOTAZHELL

Next best: Hazdann

4.02 Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes (Listed) 1m 30yd

There was a lot to like about Fingerpaint’s penultimate run – her second career start - when third in a Group 3 at Tipperary. She was badly impeded turning for home but ran on well to take third behind two fillies with far more experience.

A line can be drawn through her bad run on heavy ground at Listowel next time out and, if ready on return, holds a strong chance here for Dermot Weld, Juddmonte and Colin Keane.

There are no fitness concerns for Drop Dead Gorgeous, who also overcame inexperience to finish third in the Athasi Stakes on her second start and the form enjoyed a boost when the winner and second finished fourth and fifth in the Irish 1000 Guineas.

She was, however, very disappointing next time out over 10 furlongs but that was not her true form and the return to a mile is a positive.

Yellowstone Lake had strong form as a juvenile and looks a likely type to feature in the finish on her first start since last September.

SELECTION: DROP DEAD GORGEOUS

Next best: Fingerpaint

4.37 Cusack Hotel Group

Family Raceday July 11th

Handicap (Div I) 1m 5f

A tricky race in which it’s difficult to feel confident about many, but Deluca Chop gets a tentative vote following five consecutive placings.

Four have come at Dundalk, but three of his career wins came on turf with soft in the description and he stays the trip.

Maxwell Smart has returned to his winning mark, which also came over today’s trip. A case can also be made for El Regalo, with Ben Coen booked for the blinkered five-year-old down to career-low mark.

Mr Mills was well-backed when narrowly denied at Dundalk on his last start in November and market support will possibly inform whether he’s fit for a repeat on return.

SELECTION: DELUCA CHOP

Next best: Maxwell Smart

5.12 Cusack Hotel Group

Family Raceday July 11th

Handicap (Div II) 1m 5f

Eastern Wind’s late challenge went against her last time out at Leopardstown, where the leader gained a clear advantage, but Tom McCourt’s mare ran on gamely to take second and deserves to go one better here off the same mark.

She just pipped Jurality for second; Paul Flynn’s mare went on to finish second a week ago, with Mephisto close behind. Provided both bounce back well, they should be in the mix again today.

SELECTION: EASTERN WIND

Next best: Mephisto