Former jockey Paul Callaghan has you covered with a selection for each race.
SATURDAY’S NAVAN TIPS
- 11:52 Charismatic Kid
- 12:27 Macshadow Des Crai
- 13:02 Simply Natural
- 13:35 City Of Cork
- 14:07 The Yellow Clay
- 14:43 Found A Fifty
- 15:18 Jet To Monte Carlo
- 15:53 Uncle Pad
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11:52 2m4f (2m4f50y) Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
CHARISMATIC KID opened up his account in a bumper at Navan when trained by Colm Ryan. He was only beaten a little over 2 lengths in a Grade 2 bumper at the DRF on his first start for current connections. There’s no getting away from how impressive he was when making all to win a bumper at the Irish Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse when last seen. He’s an exciting recruit to the hurdling ranks, and we could see something a little special to kickstart proceedings at the Bar 1 Betting Navan Racing Festival.
Selection: Charismatic Kid
12:27 2m4f (2m4f50y) Lisadell Equine Hospital 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle (3yo+)
A competitive handicap hurdle up next, where I think Ian Donoghue holds a strong hand. MACSHADOW DES CRAI gets the vote, partnered by jockey Jack Kennedy. Formerly trained by Nicky Henderson, Macshadow Des Crai made a very satisfactory debut for the Ian Donoghue team when finishing third in a handicap hurdle over 2m 6f at Galway last time out. Despite being caught out wide for most of the journey, Macshadow Des Crai held every chance jumping the final hurdle and was beaten a little over a length by the winner, Mighty Berkshire.
Magic Day has a solid each-way chance and will be ridden by the talented Caragh Monaghan, claiming a valuable 7lb. Reverting to hurdles, Miners Bridge has to be included in calculations, having won on his last three outings, all over fences.
Selection: Macshadow Des Crai
13:02 2m (2m50y) Hotel Park St. Johann In Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)
There should be more to come from the Gavin Cromwell-trained SIMPLY NATURAL, who has yet to disappoint from four starts over hurdles. She chased home Alliteration in a Mares’ Maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse over the Easter period, and ran out an impressive winner of a Mares’ Maiden hurdle at Galway last time out on October 25th. Simply Natural has a nice weight of 10st 11lb, and should give another good account on only her fifth start over hurdles.
Selection: Simply Natural
13:35 2m (2m50y) BAR 1 Betting “Download Our App” For Auction Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+)
From the family of Home By The Lee, I was very impressed by CITY OF CORK at Clonmel last time out. I was particularly impressed by how he raced from the approach to the second-last hurdle, when he was asked to get competitive and put the race to bed in a matter of strides. He hit the line very strongly and could relish the uphill finish here.
Selection: City Of Cork
14:07 2m4f (2m4f50y) Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+)
Second in this race last year, I think THE YELLOW CLAY can go one better here for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy. He has a bit to find with Slade Steel on their meeting in a Grade 2 hurdle at Fairyhouse back in April, but on the back of a break, I think The Yellow Clay can gain revenge here.
Selection: The Yellow Clay
14:43 2m BAR 1 Betting Fortria Chase (Grade 2) (5yo+)
I think FOUND A FIFTY can complete the hat-trick of victories in this race, having won the last two renewals. Found A Fifty finished a remote third behind Energumene in a Grade 2 chase at Fairyhouse in April when last seen. He has a good record when fresh, and appeared to go well at the recent gallop morning in Navan.
Selection: Found A Fifty
15:18 2m1f Jimmy & Sheila Owens Irish EBF Beginners Chase (4yo+)
Not a strong fancy, but I am looking forward to seeing how JET TO MONTE CARLO fares on chasing debut. He was pulled up in a Listed hurdle at the Punchestown Festival when last seen, but ran out a comfortable winner of a Novice Handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse the time before. He ran out a wide-margin winner of a point-to-point in March 2025 and could improve now for the switch to chasing.
Selection: Jet To Monte Carlo
15:53 2m (2m50y) BAR 1 Betting Best Odds Guaranteed Overnight (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race (4yo+)
This looks an absolutely cracking bumper to bring the curtain down on day 1. I am going to side with UNCLE PAD, who ran out an easy winner of a point-to-point at Ballyvodock when trained by Terence O’Brien. He fetched £310,000 at the Cheltenham Sale in February and was a non-runner on his intended debut for his new connections at Down Royal in October. Trainer Gordon Elliott is strongly represented here, and I think Uncle Pad can send supporters home happy on Saturday afternoon.
Selection: Uncle Pad
NAVAN TIPS
- 11:52 Charismatic Kid
- 12:27 Macshadow Des Crai
- 13:02 Simply Natural
- 13:35 City Of Cork
- 14:07 The Yellow Clay
- 14:43 Found A Fifty
- 15:18 Jet To Monte Carlo
- 15:53 Uncle Pad
