MICHAEL - Navan 3.25 - Handicap - 1 mile 5 furlongs - 15 run - Soft > Heavy

 

They do just over a complete Circuit of this left hand track with Soft to Heavy ground and plenty of rain about, it's sure to be a sure test of stamina and I'd suggest suit those with race fitness unless one has been primed to run a big race after a break which seems unlikely.

 

At the top end of the market the likes of Vee Dancer, who has 3 miles NH form but Going and trip concerns and Black Hawk Eagle, who may need the run and better Going seem opposable at their respective prices.

 

Paradise Lost looks a bigger danger and probably has the best overall Hurdle form having transitioned quite quickly from the Flat, it's Flat form isn't compelling but if it can run as well as it has over Hurdles it will be a significant danger. Magnetic North at a bigger price has Course and Distance winning form, is fit from Hurdling and only just missed an investment and that's purely on the fact it is a better horse on better ground than this. Red Vermillion showed some decent form back in October 2020 at the trip on soft going but will surely need a few more runs after dropping out quickly on a belated recent return. One to keep an eye on though going forwards.

 

I'm staggered at the early 25-28/1 about STELLIFY and it really does jump off the page when you look at the form. Its fit from Hurdling, has some decent placed Course form at slightly further than this and at Galway off marks of 49 and 52 and runs here off a mark of 53 with a 7 lbs claim. I will be bitterly disappointed if we aren't collecting some enhanced place money at the very least.   

 

ITSALONGLONGROAD is also Hurdle fit and has a decent chance on best Flat form and although not fully tested at the trip on the Flat should put hurdles experience and fitness to good use. ARCLAND is another with assured race fitness and handles Soft Going with a win off a mark of 49. it runs off a Flat mark of 47 and is another who has absolutely no excuses today.

 

TIPS -: (1) Stellify / (2) Itsalonglongroad / (3) Arcland