Navan afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, July 13

The Irish track has a seven-race offering, from 13:52-17:20, with ground conditions expected to be ‘good-good to firm in places’.

Enda McElhinney is marking the card for Planet Sport readers ahead of the action from Navan.

Don’t forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport’s racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article’s first publication)

Navan tips in full:

13:52 (Navan) Shimmy Jimmy

14:27 (Navan) Betsen

15:02 (Navan) Lady Daar

15:37 (Navan) Blanc De Noir

16:10 (Navan) The Equator

16:45 (Navan) It’sonlyjustbegun

17:20 (Navan) Question Of Class

 

13:52 (Navan) Shimmy Jimmy

A close check on the Emmet Mullins-trained Dandy Magic is required, she shaped with some promise on debut at Naas last month and can likely build on that, though she may well have to in order to get the best of Shimmy Jimmy.

He built on his own debut run at Cork when taking a silver medal at Listowel in maiden company early last month and that form appears solid. Fresh from Group 1 Falmouth success at Newmarket on Friday, trainer Donnacha O’Brien can bag another winner.

14:27 (Navan) Betsen

He’s had four chances and been runner-up twice, but Betsen should shed his maiden tag now. He was runner-up in a Listed race over this course and distance behind Givemethebeatboys in April and that form sets a clear standard.

He was dropped to 5f in one start since at Naas, again in Listed company, and gets a drop in class now, with a step back up in his favour.

15:02 (Navan) Lady Daar

Gavin Cromwell runs a pair in this Castle Arch Hotel Handicap and Lady Daar could be one with a big say.

The Eqtidaar filly made her handicap bow at Naas last weekend and she finished just worse than midfield, after she had to overcome a tardy start and then met her share of trouble in running during that apprentice contest.

She can do much better granted a less bothersome passage.

15:37 (Navan) Blanc De Noir

Ex-Jessica Harrington inmate Blanc De Noir hasn’t been with Johnny Murtagh long and has been running good races in defeat, including over C&D last month.

His most recent run at Limerick was another case of getting short of room at just the wrong time. Shane Kelly rides now and, eased 1lb, they can be dangerous.

16:10 (Navan) The Equator

Rated 101, Ballydoyle inmate The Equator has plenty going for him in this contest. He won at Leopardstown on seasonal bow in April over 1m2f and has subsequently tackled a couple of Group-races at the Curragh and Royal Ascot.

This is a marked drop in grade for him and one he should be making the most of.

16:45 (Navan) It’sonlyjustbegun

Churchill filly It’sonlyjustbegun took a step forward when upped in trip to be second at Roscommon in a 1m2½f good-ground maiden in May and the Jessica Harrington-trained contender ran a sound race back at the western venue 11 days on handicap bow, finishing fourth.

This apprentice race doesn’t look as strong on paper and she may be good enough now to take the scalp of Ger Lyons’ recent Tipperary winner Blue Soul – a more exposed performer and raised 6lb for that score.

17:20 (Navan) Question Of Class

Three-year-old filly Question Of Class ran her best race thus far when second at Limerick upped to 1m3½f on quick ground last month. She was just touched off late by an improver and they came clear of a next-time-out winner in third.

Jim Bolger’s daughter of Camelot dons a pair of first-time cheekpieces now and the uphill finish here should present her with enough of a stamina-test to be in with a leading chance.