4.55pm Navan Tips & Betting Preview 23/04/2017

This is a tricky handicap over 1m 2f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Gavin Cromwell’s PANDAGREEN has fallen 4lbs in the handicap following two below par efforts and a mark of 71 should be workable today. The tongue tie is applied for the first time and the booking of Wayne Lordan catches the eye which makes her of interest at a decent price. Althiba is a likely improver having made her seasonal reappearance just a couple of weeks ago whilst Massif Central should run well shouldering top weight.

1 MASSIF CENTRAL – Lightly-raced sort who placed three times last year over 7 furlongs and a mile. There was plenty of money around for him at Dundalk last October (sent off 13/8) and he was headed towards the line so it’s a surprise to see him stepped up in trip. There is some stamina on his dam’s side and he remains a colt so connections clearly feel there is more to come and the booking of Pat Smullen catches the eye.

2 ROOM TO ROAM – 1lb higher than when finishing second by a head over an extended 1m 2f at Dundalk just under two weeks ago. That was a good effort and he clearly improved for his second run of the campaign and there’s likely to be even more to come now switched onto the turf. Small surprise to see him at this trip and he may need things to fall perfectly here to get the better of these. Chances for a yard that have a 17% strike rate here.

3 WILD IRISH ROSE – Slightly surprising to see her left on a mark of 81 having been comfortably held in a Leopardstown maiden earlier this month. Her overall form is in need of improvement having raced predominantly in maiden company and a mark of 81 is conservative from the handicapper. The yard have an excellent 25% strike rate here and the market should reveal clues as to how she may run here on handicap debut.

4 CIRCUS RING – Beat Wingingit back in March by 2 1/4 lengths off a mark of 71. The handicapper punished him with a 10lb rise for that victory although he still ran to a modest level back at Dundalk just a couple of weeks ago. He needs to prove he’s as good on turf as he is on sand and others make slightly more appeal at today’s weights. The stable are without a winner from 10 runners here.

5 APPARITION – Handicap debut today following three runs over a mile. There was plenty of support for him on his final start of last year when sent off 100/30 and he couldn’t match his rivals that day having been ridden prominently. Connections reach for the hood today in an attempt to settle him better and a mark of 76 should be workable with Donnacha O’Brien on board again. Chances.

6 SLANEY STREET – Closely matched with a couple of these on their runs at Dundalk earlier this month and he’s left on a mark of 75 today. He won off 2lbs lower over a mile on the sand and he needs to show he can be as effective on turf, including over this extra distance. The yard have an 8% strike rate here but they have sent out 4 winners in the past fortnight and he is drawn in stall 1. Others make more appeal today.

7 ALTHIBA – Shamardal filly that will certainly enjoy the step up in trip. She’s been running over shorter to date off marks of 71 and 74 and she was competitive off this mark last time out at Leopardstown and she’s completely unexposed at this trip. Stall 10 isn’t the most ideal draw but the yard are in form and she deserves another chance at this trip. Respected on today’s terms.

8 PANDAGREEN – She was quite forward as a 2yo, making a nice debut before winning a 7 furlong maiden when well-backed. She’s struggled in two handicaps since and has been dropped 4lbs since her last start which should see her to better effect. The tongue tie is applied for the first time and although she needs to improve on her form, she’s fallen to a more reasonable mark and the booking of Wayne Lordan catches the eye. Interesting.

9 STEELYEYED – Broke her maiden tag at the ninth attempt last time out when winning off a mark of 59. The handicapper has raised her 9lbs for that win which looks fair given it was a 19-runner contest and this is much tougher off a career high mark. The yard are without a winner from 36 runners here although the booking of Wayne Lordan is positive and he should give another good account if not looking up against it here.

10 WINGINGIT – Well-backed on her second handicap start last time out and she was beaten by 2 lengths off a mark of 64. She’s been raised a pound for that effort which looks fair given her consistent form and she will have to improve for the return to turf off a career high mark. She’s open to plenty of progression and is in excellent form of late so she’s in with a decent chance here.

11 WILD SHOT – Nine-race maiden and she finished behind Steelyeyed last time out by 11 lengths. She’s been dropped a pound for that effort and although she receives plenty of weight, she still looks up against it here and may prefer a weaker grade. The yard have only had one winner from 24 runners here and are without a winner in the past fortnight. Others are preferred.