2:17 Navan
The 2:17 at Navan is a 2m3f maiden hurdle on good ground that looks a fairly ordinary affair for the grade, featuring 19 runners with limited previous form and plenty of unknowns. The KTB Fit ratings are headed by Mr Devlin on 64, with the next four principals clustered between 52 and 50, underlining a race where margins are tight and the overall standard is modest. Most of the field arrive with modest recent efforts and little in the way of placed form, so the KTB numbers point to a contest that could fall to the least exposed or best-handicapped type on the day.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is described as tentative with only thin evidence of a confirmed front-runner, though Red Acres Georgie has shown front-running tendencies in the past and Market Square is likely to race prominently. The majority of the field, including the top two in the KTB Fit ratings, prefer to be held up and produce their effort late, suggesting the race may develop into a test of stamina and timing from off the pace. With so many runners conserving energy early, the key question will be whether the prominent types can dictate matters or if the race will be won by one of the patient hold-up performers coming from further back.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Mr Devlin KTB Selection64/100
Mr Devlin tops the KTB Fit ratings on 64 and is the clear selection. A 5-year-old with form figures of 0800-5, he showed a bit more when fifth on his most recent start and now tries first-time headgear in a bid to unlock further progress. The Conor David Maxwell yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 2.03, while Kieren Buckley has an 8% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.03. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is unproven on good ground and has no previous course form, yet he is entitled to be thereabouts in a race of this nature given his position at the head of the KTB numbers.
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2Any Chance52/100
Any Chance is rated 52 on KTB Fit and arrives with form figures of 005-68. A 7-year-old who has yet to show serious ability, he has been held up in his races and usually produces his effort late. The Cian Hughes stable has a 0% strike rate at Navan from seven runs with an A/E of 0, while Conor Stone-Walsh has a 7% strike rate at the venue with an A/E of 1.02. He has had one run on good ground without placing and has no course form, leaving him with plenty to find on what is visible so far.
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3Market Square52/100
Market Square is also on 52 in the KTB Fit ratings and has form figures of 5-97. A 5-year-old who likes to race prominently and race handily on or close to the lead, he represents Emmet Mullins who has a strong 21% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 1.6. Donagh Meyler has a 5% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.51 and the pair have a 15% combined strike rate with an A/E of 0.78. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form, but his trainer's record at the venue ensures he is respected.
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4Rumble Demosa51/100
Rumble Demosa sits on 51 in the KTB Fit ratings with form figures of 770. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is trained by Eoin Griffin who has a 9% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.87. The jockey is a reserve with course record unavailable. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form, suggesting he needs to improve markedly on what he has shown to date to play a major part.
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5Vargas50/100
Vargas is rated 50 on KTB Fit and has form figures of P/P-56. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is in the care of Gordon Elliott who has a 16% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.9. Sam Ewing has an 11% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.07 and the stable-jockey combination shows an 11% strike rate with an A/E of 0.84. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form, so he remains a work in progress.
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6Returning Officer50/100
Returning Officer is rated 50 on KTB Fit with form figures of 6/577. A 6-year-old who usually races prominently, he has one previous run at Navan when sixth. Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy have strong course records, the yard at 16% with an A/E of 0.9 and the jockey at 23% with an A/E of 0.94, but he has had two runs on good ground without placing.
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7Joly Saphir50/100
Joly Saphir is rated 50 on KTB Fit with form figures of 80. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is trained by Philip Fenton who has an 11% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 1.1. Niall Moore has a 6% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.13. He has had one run on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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8Grabat49/100
Grabat is rated 49 on KTB Fit with form figures of 068U. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is from the Philip Fenton yard which has an 11% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 1.1. Brian Hayes has a 6% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.9. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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9Leonards Choice47/100
Leonards Choice is rated 47 on KTB Fit with form figures of 000-. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is trained by Francis J Flood who has a 3% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.69. Ben Kennedy has a neutral score at the track. He is unproven on good ground and has no course form.
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10Bayswater Bloom46/100
Bayswater Bloom is rated 46 on KTB Fit with form figures of 05-687. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, she is trained by Miss Evanna McCutcheon who has a 7% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 1.14. Philip Donovan has a 6% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.78. She has had one run on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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11Oops A Daisy45/100
Oops A Daisy is rated 45 on KTB Fit with form figures of 0078. A 4-year-old who is usually held up, she is trained by John Joseph Hanlon who has a 7% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.94. Josh Younge has a 0% strike rate at the track from one ride. She has had three runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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12Red Acres Georgie44/100
Red Acres Georgie is rated 44 on KTB Fit with form figures of 1/77-F. A 6-year-old who tends to make the running or race on the pace, he is trained by Anthony Mullins who has a 10% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.82. Danny Mullins has a 7% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.68. He has had one run on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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13Mirfaq43/100
Mirfaq is rated 43 on KTB Fit with form figures of 0-P6. A 4-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is trained by Gavin Cromwell who has a 9% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.82. Keith Donoghue has a 7% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.77. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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14It's Buster's Way43/100
It's Buster's Way is rated 43 on KTB Fit with form figures of 00. A 5-year-old who is usually held up, he is trained by Sabrina J Harty who has a 0% strike rate at Navan from 33 runs. He has had one run on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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15Super Freak42/100
Super Freak is rated 42 on KTB Fit with form figures of 6-09 and tries first-time headgear. A 5-year-old who typically settles in midfield, he is trained by Thomas Cooper who has a 5% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.6. Daniel King has a 6% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.58. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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16Bethpage Theatre42/100
Bethpage Theatre is rated 42 on KTB Fit with form figures of F96P. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is trained by Peter Fahey who has a 6% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 0.7. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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17Duel Concept39/100
Duel Concept is rated 39 on KTB Fit with form figures of 9/709-. A 6-year-old who is usually held up and produces his effort late, he is trained by Miss Hilary McLoughlin who has a 0% strike rate at Navan from nine runs. Phillip Enright has a 4% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 0.56. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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18Banphrionsa Alainn39/100
Banphrionsa Alainn is rated 39 on KTB Fit with form figures of 0-05P and tries first-time headgear. A 5-year-old who is usually held up and produces her effort late, she is trained by A D Leahy who has no Navan record from four runs. Miss Charlotte Butler has a 0% strike rate at the track from one ride. She has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
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19Hometomayo38/100
Hometomayo is rated 38 on KTB Fit with form figures of PP-407. A 6-year-old who typically settles in midfield, he is trained by M Flannery who has a 0% strike rate at Navan from 34 runs. Alan King has a 0% strike rate at the track from five rides. He has had two runs on good ground without placing and has no course form.
KTB verdict
Mr Devlin is the KTB Selection and tops the Fit ratings on 64 in a race where the standard is modest and many arrive with limited placed form. His latest fifth suggested he is moving in the right direction, the first-time headgear may help, and the trainer's record at Navan adds to the appeal of a horse who should be suited by coming from off the pace. The main dangers are likely to come from Market Square, whose prominent style could be an asset in a tentative pace scenario, and Any Chance, who is closely matched on the numbers. Vargas and Rumble Demosa are next in the KTB order and cannot be ruled out if the race develops as expected.
KTB Selection Mr Devlin
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Devlin | 15/2 | BetTom |
| Any Chance | 7/2 | Dragon Bet |
| Market Square | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Rumble Demosa | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Vargas | 16/1 | BetTom |
| Returning Officer | 4/1 | BetTom |
| Joly Saphir | 66/1 | Bet365 |
| Grabat | 50/1 | Bet365 |
| Leonards Choice | 125/1 | Dragon Bet |
| Bayswater Bloom | 40/1 | Bet365 |
| Oops A Daisy | 40/1 | Bet365 |
| Red Acres Georgie | 9/2 | Dragon Bet |
| Mirfaq | 12/1 | Bet365 |
| It's Buster's Way | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Super Freak | 12/1 | Dragon Bet |
| Bethpage Theatre | 50/1 | Bet365 |
| Duel Concept | 40/1 | Bet365 |
| Banphrionsa Alainn | 33/1 | BetTom |
| Hometomayo | 40/1 | BetTom |
This is the narrative read of the 2:17 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 is the KTB Selection and what is its Fit rating?
Mr Devlin is the KTB Selection with a Fit rating of 64/100.
How many runners like to be held up according to the run-style data?
The majority of the field are held-up types, including the top two in the KTB Fit ratings, Mr Devlin and Any Chance.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Navan among those with runners in this race?
Emmet Mullins has a 21% strike rate at Navan with an A/E of 1.6 from 43 runs.
What is the pace shape for this maiden hurdle?
Pace tentative with medium confidence — a possible front-runner but on thin evidence.
Which principal runner is likely to race most prominently?
Market Square usually races handily, on or close to the lead.
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