1:42 Navan
The 1:42 at Navan is a 15-runner SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Hurdle over 1m7f165y on good ground. The KTB numbers point to a competitive but somewhat open event, with the top-rated horse carrying a clear Fit Score advantage yet several others holding strong course, trainer or recent-form claims. With no obvious front-runner in a steadily-run, tactical affair, the ability to race handily and produce a late effort at the right moment is likely to be key.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks a leader and points to a steadily-run, tactical race in which being handy should pay dividends. Del Boys Diva is the only prominent runner among the principals and therefore holds a natural pace advantage. Most of the remainder, including Amanha, Bells Grove, Dairy Force and Accustomed, are held-up types who will look to come from off the pace, so the key question is whether the race falls into a rhythm that allows them to close effectively or whether the prominent Del Boys Diva can dictate and hold on.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Del Boys Diva KTB Selection73/100
Del Boys Diva arrives with the highest KTB Fit Score of 73 and is the clear selection. A 6-year-old with recent form figures of -91155, she has shown real improvement this year, winning twice. The Shane Crawley yard has a 9% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 1.54, while claiming jockey James Smith boasts a 21% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 2.1. She has won two of her three starts on good ground and usually races handily, a run-style that looks ideal given the lack of obvious pace on. No course form on record but the combination of current form, going preference and prominent racing makes her the one to beat.
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2Amanha60/100
Amanha is rated second with a KTB Fit Score of 60. The 8-year-old has form figures of 10/14- and showed useful ability when winning here over course and distance on her final start last season. Dermot A McLoughlin’s record with the combination reads 4/33 with an A/E of 1.67 and positive LSP, though his Navan strike rate is only 4%. Jockey Liam McKenna has a 5% strike rate at the venue. She is held up and produces her effort late, a style that could suit if the race is tactical. Four runs on good ground have produced no win or place, which is a concern, yet her course record of one win from one start keeps her firmly in the picture.
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3Bells Grove59/100
Bells Grove is next on 59. This 5-year-old brings progressive recent form of 238-31 and has looked a better horse of late. Edward Buckley’s record at Navan reads 0% from 11 runners with an A/E of 0, but the yard’s overall figures with Kieren Buckley are solid at 8/79 with an A/E of 1.20. She has won once and been placed on all four starts on good ground. Usually held up, she will be coming from off the pace in a race where being handy may pay. No course form on record, but her upward curve and going affinity make her a serious player.
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4Dairy Force58/100
Dairy Force holds a KTB Fit Score of 58. The Gordon Elliott-trained 7-year-old has form figures of 253F62 and has been competitive without winning of late, placing on three of eight starts on good ground. The stable’s Navan record is strong at 16% with an A/E of 0.9, while Jack Kennedy has a 23% strike rate at the track. He is a high-confidence held-up performer who will be delivered late. No course form on record, yet the trainer-jockey alliance and consistent level of form mean he must be respected in a race that could suit a closer.
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5Accustomed57/100
Accustomed completes the principals with a Fit Score of 57. A 6-year-old with form of 2P0-51, he showed improved form when winning last time out. E D Delany has a 6% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.72, but claiming jockey Eoghan Finegan has a strong 13% strike rate and A/E of 2.12 at the track. He has won one and placed once from two starts on good ground. A high-confidence held-up runner, he will be produced late. He has placed once from two runs at Navan, which adds to his each-way claims in an open-looking handicap.
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6Ma Belle Etoile56/100
Ma Belle Etoile has a KTB Fit Score of 56. The Henry de Bromhead-trained 7-year-old has form of 514-F3 and is 2-7 on good ground. The yard is 10% at Navan but the trainer-jockey combination has an A/E of 0.00 from 21 runs. A high-confidence held-up type, she has no course form.
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7Shanroe54/100
Shanroe is a 12-year-old with a Fit Score of 54 and form figures of 08/P8-. Karl Thornton is 0% at Navan from 52 runs. He has won three of seven on good ground and typically settles in midfield, but age and recent form are against him.
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8Hopeful Hero54/100
Hopeful Hero carries a Fit Score of 54. The 5-year-old has form of -31032 and is 1-5 on good with four places. T Hogan’s Navan record is 6% while the jockey is 0% from two rides at the track. Usually held up, he has no course form.
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9Mary's Pride53/100
Mary’s Pride is rated 53. The 9-year-old has form of 80-270 and is placed once from four starts on good. Edward Cawley is 4% at Navan while Philip Byrnes has a 21% strike rate and A/E of 1.5 at the venue. Held up, she finished 12th on her only run here.
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10Littlefoot51/100
Littlefoot has a Fit Score of 51. The M A Molloy-trained 8-year-old has form of 15-1PU and is 1-6 on good. The yard is 6% at Navan with an A/E of 0.59. A high-confidence held-up performer, he has no course form.
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11Lambay Island50/100
Lambay Island is on 50. The Henry de Bromhead 6-year-old has form of 4/320- but is unproven on good ground. The yard is 10% at Navan and the jockey 7%. Usually held up, she has no course form.
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12Simple Things49/100
Simple Things carries a Fit Score of 49. The 4-year-old has form of 2-2561 and is 1-2 on good. J P Dempsey is 6% at Navan while the jockey is 0% from 13 rides at the track. Held up, he finished sixth on his only run here.
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13Lips Freedom48/100
Lips Freedom has a Fit Score of 48. The Andrew Kinirons-trained 6-year-old has form of 001-10 and is 1-3 on good. The yard is 0% at Navan from 17 runs. A high-confidence held-up type with no course form.
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14Pralognan45/100
Pralognan is rated 45. The 7-year-old has form of 135-45 but is 0-6 on good. A J Martin is 9% at Navan while the jockey has a 7% strike rate at the venue. Usually held up, he was 18th on his only run here.
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15Letters To Juliet38/100
Letters To Juliet has the lowest Fit Score of 38. The 8-year-old has form of 1/570- and is 1-5 on good. Patrick Downey is 2% at Navan and the jockey 0% from 16 rides. Typically settles in midfield with no course form.
KTB verdict
Del Boys Diva stands out with the highest KTB Fit Score and a prominent run-style that looks perfectly suited to a race lacking an obvious leader. Her two wins from three starts on good ground, allied to the positive Navan trainer and jockey figures, give her a clear edge. She is the KTB Selection. The main dangers are likely to come from off the pace, with Amanha’s course record, Bells Grove’s progressive profile and the powerful Elliott-Kennedy combination with Dairy Force the most obvious threats in a race where timing will be everything.
KTB Selection Del Boys Diva
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 19 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Del Boys Diva | 10/1 | BetTom |
| Amanha | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Bells Grove | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Dairy Force | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Accustomed | 15/2 | BetTom |
| Ma Belle Etoile | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| Shanroe | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Hopeful Hero | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Mary's Pride | 20/1 | BetTom |
| Littlefoot | 12/1 | Bet365 |
| Lambay Island | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Simple Things | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Lips Freedom | 12/1 | LiveScore Bet |
| Pralognan | 14/1 | BetTom |
| Letters To Juliet | 28/1 | BetTom |
This is the narrative read of the 1:42 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
Which horse has the highest KTB Fit Score and why does that matter here?
Del Boys Diva on 73. It marks her out as the top-rated in a race where the numbers suggest she holds a clear advantage over the rest of the field.
How does the lack of a leader affect the race shape?
It points to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy is likely to pay, favouring Del Boys Diva’s prominent style over the many held-up runners.
Which runner has the best recent course record at Navan?
Amanha, who is one from one having won here last season.
Who has the strongest jockey record at Navan among the principals?
James Smith on Del Boys Diva with a 21% strike rate and A/E of 2.1 from 19 rides.
Which horse is unproven on good ground?
Lambay Island, who has had no runs on the surface.
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