Monday 30th March 2026
NAP (Best Bet)
My best bet of the day on Monday comes from Navan and the 2.48, which is a maiden that’s contested over a mile. I’m strong on the chances of SHAFTESBURY AVENUE here for the team of Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan. He made an encouraing start to his racing career when third of twenty-three at the Curragh earlier this month, and he should naturally take a big step forward coming into his second start here. It’s often the case that runners from this all-conquering yard show significant improvement on their second outing, and it would be no surprise if that was the case once again here.
2.48 Navan – SHAFTESBURY AVENUE – (15/8) (Win) (NAP)
NB (Next Best Bet)
The next best for me on Monday comes from Kempton, and in the 2.10, which is a Class 4 novice event for fillies and contested over six furlongs. I like MEHMAS ENGINE in this particular affair for James Tate and Rossa Ryan. She was sent off the 5/6 favourite for her racecourse debut at Southwell last month, so she’s clearly held in some regard, and whilst she could only manage third, she was denied a clear run and had to switch a furlong out. That run came over five furlongs, and given how she still kept to her task that day, this step up to six should unlock further improvement. It’d be no surprise to see her take a big step forward here, and she can take advantage of the seven pounds she receives from the current favourite Barefoot Beach.
2.10 Kempton – MEHMAS ENGINE – (15/8) (Win) (NB)
3B (Third Best Bet)
My third-best bet of the afternoon on Monday comes within the 4.18 at Navan, and this is a maiden for three-year-olds over a mile and two furlongs. I like the chances of HIPPOLOGY here for Joseph O’Brien and Declan McDonogh. He posted an eye-catching effort when he was last seen on racecourse debut at this track in October over a mile, finishing fifth of ten and staying on in the closing stages after initially being outpaced. The step up in distance here should be right up his street, given that run, and his breeding, and he should naturally progress. He could well get a lot closer.
4.18 Navan – HIPPOLOGY – (3/1) (Win) (3B)
Each-Way Bet
The each-way bet of the day for me on Monday runs in the 3.18 at Navan, and this is handicap action over a mile and six furlongs. I’ve come down on GALILEO DAME here, who’s another one for Joseph O’Brien, and the mount of Joey Sheridan. She’s not managed to set the world alight on the flat despite promise in her earlier days; however, she bolted up by eleven lengths last time out over hurdles in February, with that success also coming at this track. She makes her handicap debut here, having competed in higher grades when she was last seen on the level, and this mark could well prove to be a lenient one. I think she can go well here at a reasonable price.
3.18 Navan – GALILEO DAME – (9/1) (Each-Way) (4 places)
Longshot
I’m taking a chance on one in the 5.10 at Kempton for my longshot of the day, and this is a Class 6 handicap over a mile and four furlongs. I think that COSPICUA could be overpriced in this low-grade affair for James Tate and Lewis Edmunds. She won over course and distance on just her penultimate start, showing significant improvement when markedly stepped up in distance on her handicap debut. There’s every chance that she just didn’t handle the track at Newcastle last time out, and if she returns to the form of her run here in January, she could look a big price off just a three-pound higher mark.
5.10 Kempton – COSPICUA – (22/1) (Each-Way)
