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Navan 16:43

Race 7 Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation Mares Handicap Chase (2m 4f 90y)

28th Feb 26

WinnerSavanteSP 1.8
Horse
Savante
Jockey
Brian Hayes
Trainer
Colm Murphy
Let's take a closer gander at this bracing 2m 4f 90y chase at Navan, starting at a civilized 16:43. The going is heavy, reminding us that a splash and a dash will be on the menu for our equine friends. The star of this show is 'Savante', a 7-year-old mare trained by the shrewd Colm Murphy and piloted by Brian Hayes. With odds sitting snug at 2.63, she's deemed the one to beat. Her recent form doesn't exactly scream ‘banker’, with no wins in her last five outings, but a striking rate at distance play (25% strike rate over similar lengths), sneaking suspicion she’s gearing up for a cheeky surprise. Pull those welly boots on, lads! Next up on our betting playbill is 'Hardy Diamond', another 7-year-old mare, from the powerhouse stable of G Elliott, with Carl Millar in the saddle. Her 11/1 odds could entice those fancying a flutter on a longer shot. Recent form suggests she's been more spectator than participant, with no wins in the last six starts, though she's faced the starter 17 times in the last two years, managing to pull off a couple of wins. Watching her performance under these sodden conditions at Navan could prove interesting—or a perfect excuse to visit the snack bar. Lastly, let's not overlook 'Getaways Charm', a 6-year-old mare striding out under Daniel King, trained by P W Flynn. Offered at odds of 19/1, it feels a bit like hoping for a sunny day in November—optimistic but probably misguided. Her form book is a sea of zeros lately, struggling to make any mark in her recent races. Yet, every horse has its day, and perhaps today's the day she’ll leap out from the shadows—or at least out of the starting gate with a bit more purpose. As for smarty-pants tips, all eyes (and hopefully a couple of smart quid) are on 'Savante'. She’s predicted to steal the show today, thanks to what looks like a favorable setup and a knack for handling this distance. Here’s to hoping she enjoys the mud more than most, eh? And remember, bet wisely and may your picks run as smoothly as a pint of the black stuff!
Article prices indicative and correct at 11:16 am on 28th February 2026

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Course SR 20.90% (from last 244 races)

Course & Distance SR 19.23% (from last 26 races)

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