Van Can Make Presence Felt On Handicap Debut At Navan

Unfortunately, Phobiaphiliac was a non runner earlier today, but looking on the bright side at least it wasn’t a loser! The best of tomorrow’s action comes from across the Irish sea at Aintree and Sandown and I have put up a trio of tips for the Becher, Grand Sefton and Tingle Creek for Mybettingbonus (click here to see them). For my blog tip this Saturday I am sticking to home turf, and I like the look of a mare at a big price at Navan.

Peter Croke's charge should appreciate the step up to 2m 6f.

Regular readers of the blog might remember me tipping up Vanellope at a massive price in a maiden back in October at Punchestown and she ran an absolute cracker to finish 5th behind the very talented subsequent Listed winner Cracking Smart. She was bang there until running out of steam in the closing stages but it was a fine effort in a hot race.

She was only 12L behind another smart sort in Court Artist on her seasonal reappearance at Ballinrobe, and considering she likely would have needed the outing badly it was a super run. She has been handed an opening mark of 106 by the handicapper and on the form of her second hurdle run she should be capable of making an impact off that rating.


Off You Go finished 10L behind Vanellope at Punchestown and he has since finished 3rd on his handicap debut off 105. That would suggest that 106 is more than fair for the selection and with Harley Dunne’s claim she is effectively running off 101. Another cause for optimism is the step up in distance to 22f as this daughter of Presenting is bred to relish that sort of trip.

Her sire is known as a stamina influence, producing stayers like Denman, War Of Attrition and First Lieutenant. Her half brother Irish Buccaneer won at 21f and her dam Supreme Serenade was also a multiple winner at up to 2m 6f. She is a full sister to Grade 3 winning hurdler Supreme Prince and he won at up to 2m 5f. So, as can be seen from the above, 2m 6f should be ideal if her pedigree is anything to go by.

Vanellope’s sole win came in a heavy ground 20f bumper at Wexford where she beat Burren Life by 5L. She could have won by a lot more only for her jockey easing her in the closing stages once the race was in the bag. Burren Life has since finished 3rd in a Listed race, won maiden and novice hurdles and is now rated 130. If Vanellope can reproduce that form at Navan she should go very close at odds of 25/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 13.25 NAVAN-VANELLOPE E/W @ 25/1