Bella Can Benefit From Return To Turf At Navan

Bid Adieu was a non-runner at Newbury for us on Saturday, but my alternative selection Man Of Harlech didn’t manage to hit the frame. He looked like he might at one stage but his effort petered out and he finished in the middle of the pack. Monday’s selection goes in another big field handicap at Navan, and I think this filly could spring a surprise for Leigh Roche and Miss J M Lee.

Leigh Roche is in top form.

Bella Rua goes in the mile handicap at 7.00 and she is up against 17 opponents. She has been drawn fairly wide in stall 16 but Navan is a very fair track and her starting position shouldn’t hamper her chances. This daughter of Casamento first caught my eye on her second handicap start at Tipperary (7.5f soft) off a mark of 52.

Killian Hennessey rode for the first time that day, claiming 2lb, and Bella Rua produced a career best to stay on strongly close to home for 2nd, shaping as if in need of further. Billy Lee took over in the saddle next time, this time over 9f, and again Bella Rua was doing all her best work at the finish.

She made her challenge wide and stayed on all the way to the line over 9f, so I think the stiff uphill finish at Navan might play to her strengths over a mile. She didn’t run well on her return from a 5 month break in a 7f contest at Dundalk in February but that should have blown away the cobwebs and as an added bonus she was dropped a pound for that effort.

She races off just 48 at Navan on Monday and Leigh Roche, who has been firing in the winners, has been booked for the ride. She should enjoy the ease in the ground, the stiff mile at Navan should suit and I think Bella Rua is well worth chancing each way at odds of 22/1 in what looks a wide open race.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 7.00 NAVAN-BELLA RUA E/W @ 22/1