5:18 Navan
A 17-runner 0-60 handicap division at Navan over 1m2f30y on yielding ground looks a typically competitive midweek affair at this level. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Searcog heading the numbers on 59, followed by Marambo on 55 and Nottooshabby on 50; the remainder sit between 48 and 36, underlining the modest standard of the whole field. With no obvious front-runner in a race that lacks a leader, the pace shape points to a steadily-run, tactical contest in which being handy could prove advantageous.
How the race shapes up
Given the absence of any confirmed leader and a pace shape that suggests no one obviously wants the lead, the race is likely to be run at a steady gallop with the field settling early. Most principals are held-up types who produce their effort late, so the key question will be whether those racing prominently or in mid-division can steal an advantage in a tactical affair, or if the closers will be able to weave through in the straight on this yielding surface.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Searcog KTB Selection59/100
Searcog is a limited performer who has been consistent enough without winning, finishing fourth on his last two starts. He has placed both on yielding ground and over this trip, though he steps back from 1m4f today. The yard and jockey both have solid records at Navan. Patrick Magee operates at a 10% strike rate here with an A/E of 1.5 from 60 runs, while Reese Holohan shows an 11% strike rate with an A/E of 1.05 from 19 rides. The four-year-old is drawn in stall 9 and usually held up, producing his effort late. With an official rating of 49 and recent form of 4-4844 he remains competitive at this level.
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2Marambo55/100
Marambo is a limited horse who has struggled since a modest debut, finishing well beaten on all five starts since. He steps up in trip today having looked short of stamina at a mile last time, though the small sample means the longer distance is simply an unknown. Trainer Chris Timmons has a solid 12% strike rate at Navan from 65 runs while jockey G. F. Carroll is operating at a 6% strike rate from a big sample here. The four-year-old, rated 53, has recent form figures of 45-000 and is drawn in stall 3. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he remains unproven on yielding ground.
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3Nottooshabby50/100
Nottooshabby is a modest performer who has shown little in five starts to date and finished well beaten on each of his last three outings. The yard has a solid 9% strike rate at Navan from a big sample but this jockey is still seeking her first winner here from nine rides. Dropping back from 1m4f poses a fresh question while the going remains an unknown on this lightly-raced profile. The three-year-old carries an official rating of 60 with form figures of 67660 and is drawn in stall 13. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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4Dark Summit48/100
Dark Summit is a limited performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and sits on a career-low mark. He has placed once at this trip and once on yielding ground but without winning either, so the ability to get his head in front looks questionable. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at Navan. Paul W Flynn operates at a 6% strike rate here with an A/E of 0.78 from 225 runs, while J M Sheridan shows a 7% strike rate with an A/E of 0.75 from 136 rides. The four-year-old, rated 59, has recent form of 000830 and is drawn in stall 8. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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5Patrick Street47/100
Patrick Street is a limited horse who has won once from three runs at Navan and holds a solid record on yielding ground with two wins and three places from seven starts. He drops back in trip today having last run over nearly two miles yet owns two wins from nine starts at this distance. The trainer has a poor 0% strike-rate from 19 runs at the track while the jockey has a respectable 9% from 70 rides here. The seven-year-old is rated 52 with recent form figures of 915143 and is drawn in stall 11. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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6Mr Perth46/100
Mr Perth is a modest performer who has struggled to make an impact in six starts so far, with recent form figures of 870779 showing no real spark. The step up from 7f to 1m2f today asks a fresh question of him. Trainer Michael Grassick has a 6% strike rate from 77 runs at Navan while the 7lb claimer has had too few rides here to judge.
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7Charlie Brow'n45/100
Charlie Brow'n is a limited performer who won on his only previous visit to Navan. He has been largely out of form this year and has failed to place in four runs on yielding ground. Dropping back from 1m5f poses a fresh question while the trainer's modest record here adds little encouragement.
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8Prom Queen45/100
Prom Queen is a limited performer who has shown some ability on this track when runner-up here over further. She drops back in trip having last run over a mile and a half and is 1 from 4 at this distance without winning. Trainer's modest 4% strike rate at Navan is offset by the jockey's solid 8% record at the track.
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9Miss Crinshawn45/100
Miss Crinshawn is a limited performer who has shown bits of ability on her better days but has been well below form on her last three starts. She has placed both times she has tried this trip and has handled yielding ground in the past, though her sole run here at Navan was poor. Trainer and jockey both have modest records at the track.
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10Ballaghkeen45/100
Ballaghkeen has shown very little in six starts and sits right at the bottom of the ratings for a limited performer. He was beaten 13 lengths when sixth over this course and trip on his most recent run, and the drop back from 1m3f raises a fresh question. Trainer and jockey both have solid established records at Navan.
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11Chloe's Boy44/100
Chloe's Boy is a limited sort who has shown very little in eight starts and finished well beaten on both previous visits to Navan. He drops back in trip today having looked stretched over 1m3f last time, though he has already been tried over this distance without success. First-time headgear is now applied but the trainer's modest record here offers little encouragement.
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12Pebble Island41/100
Pebble Island has shown the odd bit of ability on his better days but remains a limited performer overall and has been largely out of form this year. He was well beaten on his only previous run at Navan and is unproven on yielding ground having never raced on it. The drop back from 2m3f to 1m2f asks a fresh question as he has failed to place in five previous attempts at today's trip.
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13Share The Treasure40/100
Share The Treasure is a limited horse who has won once from three runs at Navan but has otherwise struggled this year with a string of modest efforts. Trainer's 6% strike rate from 118 runs at the track is uninspiring while the jockey's 9% from 56 rides is slightly better. Has winning form on yielding ground yet remains unconvincing at this trip having failed to place in two previous attempts.
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14Dress Dance38/100
Dress Dance is a limited performer who has struggled in all six starts to date and was beaten 13 lengths when last of seven over C&D on her most recent run. She steps up in trip again today having already looked stretched at 1m1f last time. Trainer and jockey both operate at a modest strike rate here.
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15Roderick37/100
Roderick is a limited performer who has been on the go for years and rarely wins. He has run poorly at this track in the past and the trainer's record here is poor. The step up in trip is an unknown and the wide draw adds to the difficulties.
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16Morning Approach36/100
Morning Approach is a limited performer who has been out of form for a long time and finished well down the field in both runs at Navan. First-time headgear is tried today but the yard's modest record here and the horse's poor record on yielding ground offer little encouragement. Trip looks fine on paper yet recent efforts give no reason to expect a revival.
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17Pure Granite36/100
Pure Granite is a limited performer who has struggled to make a serious impact in seven starts. He showed a bit more spark when fourth on his most recent run but steps up in trip today having failed to trouble the judge in two previous attempts at this distance. Trainer has only a tiny sample at Navan while the jockey's modest 5% strike rate here from 179 rides adds little encouragement.
KTB verdict
Searcog is the KTB Selection. A limited but consistent performer, he has finished fourth on his last two starts, has placed on yielding ground and over this trip, and benefits from a yard and jockey with solid records at Navan. The steadily-run nature of the race should suit his held-up style, and he looks set to go well from stall 9 off an official rating of 49. Main dangers include Marambo, who steps up in trip for a trainer with a strong Navan record, and Patrick Street, who has won at the track and holds a good record on the ground despite the trainer's poor strike rate here. Nottooshabby, Dark Summit and several others in the big field cannot be entirely dismissed in a race where the standard is modest.
KTB Selection Searcog
This is the narrative read of the 5:18 Navan. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Navan racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Navan results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why is Searcog rated the top selection despite being a limited performer?
He has been consistent enough without winning, finishing fourth on his last two starts, has placed on yielding ground and over this trip, and the yard and jockey both have solid records at Navan.
How is the race likely to be run given the pace shape?
It lacks a leader so is likely to be a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays.
Which horses have previous winning form at Navan?
Patrick Street has won here from three runs, Charlie Brow'n won on his only previous visit, and Share The Treasure has won once from three runs at the track.
Which runner is first-time headgear being applied to?
Chloe's Boy and Morning Approach both race in first-time headgear.
What is the going record of the selection?
Placed 2 of 3 on yielding — competitive, no win.
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