1.10pm Navan Tips & Betting Preview 12/11/2017

A competitive Grade 3 novices’ hurdle over the minimum trip of two miles for a prize of €19,988. Read on for expert analysis and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: MENGLI KHAN was a very useful performer on the flat and couldn’t be in better hands as his career over jumps develops. The selection should appreciate the faster pace of this higher grade and can continue his progression and take this at the main expense of the Willie Mullins trained Stratum, who made a bright start over timber at Galway. Morgan brings a solid level of form to the race and should be bang there to pick up any pieces if the principles disappoint.

1 MORGAN – Rarely runs a bad race and form figures of 21212 this season show that. A rating of 141 makes him comfortably the form pick and he isn’t completely exposed so there is room for improvement, goes on this ground and should be considered.

2 JIMMY BREEKIE – Never had a chance last time when he trailed in thirty-five lengths behind possible Champion Hurdle contender Campeador and it may be more of the same today. A mark of 123 leaves him with plenty to find on these terms and others are preferred.

3 MENGLI KHAN – A 96 rated flat horse who has had just the three starts over hurdles and got off the mark when beating twenty-nine rivals over course and distance last time. He looks to have improved over the summer and is talented enough to have a big say in his first attempt at graded level.

4 STRATUM – Tony Bloom and Willie Mullins combined last year to land the Albert Bartlett with the brilliant Penhill and the same colours could be carried to victory here. Easily won a Galway maiden at prohibitive odds and is open to any amount of improvement; interesting.

5 TAKE FIVE – Has yet to make an appearance under rules with his only race experience coming when fifth in a point-to-point at Ballinaboola. This is a huge ask on hurdling debut and it’s difficult to see him getting involved in any meaningful way.

6 CLASSIC THEATRE – Made a bright start to his hurdling career but now begins to look exposed having been well-beaten by Sayar with Morgan over twenty lengths ahead. There is little to no chance he reverses that form and it would be a disappointment if he was anywhere near the winner.