Navan 2:35 Result

This 19-runner 5f handicap is a lottery on paper but Steel Magnolia stands out on recent form and trajectory. Her figures 434721 show a filly improving with racing, culminating in a clear win last time and a placed effort before that - she's actually going the right way and clearly retains ample ahead-of-the-handicapper spark given her rapid rise. Ran just 13 days ago so she's fit and the yard (McCreery) knows how to place types like this. Blinkers on could be sharpening her further. At OR55 she's not top weight and gets in with a workable mark relative to her McCreery/Lee combo which is a strong booking - Lee doesn't take mediocre rides. The likes of Rosato, Irish Rumour, Surpass And Shine and Agostino carry the 142lb top weight and have all had modest recent efforts (020503, 072020, 100-00, 65205- with a long layoff for Agostino). Simmering Seas is interesting with an in-form profile too (-60242) but hasn't shown the same peak. Asdana was well held last time and is unproven fresh. In a race like this, pace and draw chaos often decide it, but taking the runner with the strongest recent form curve and a positive market signal (yard's number one jockey engaged) is the smart play. Steel Magnolia's y-shaped improvement curve, fitness, and stable confidence make her the value/best-fancied runner in a wide-open contest.