The Irish Angle With Paul Callaghan - Saturday Navan And Wexford Tips

I think you can forgive Karlsberg for her effort last time out, when the Shane Crawley trained filly didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages.

Karlsberg was sent off favourite but could finish no closer than eighth of twenty two in a competitive handicap at Naas at the beginning of May.

She finished a good second of twenty one over 6 furlongs at The Curragh two starts ago and with little mileage on the clock, on only her ninth career start, there is surely more to come.

Karlsberg has only recorded one victory to date which was over 7 furlongs at Cork in August of last year, but facing just the nine opponents here, she might just get away with dropping down to the stiff 5 furlong trip.

I’m going to take a chance on the Johnny Murtagh trained Shajak who showed signs of inexperience on debut at The Curragh and was ultimately beaten a little over 9 lengths by the winner.

We should see the benefit of that run and Shajak is my selection to come out on top in a decent maiden to close proceedings at the county Meath venue.

I think connections have found an ideal opportunity for Sir Bob to follow up his last time out success.

Granted that victory came over hurdles at Cork but prior to that he finished second of nine over fences at Limerick in the middle of March.

A slight concern would be the drying ground, given that Sir Bob has never ran on ground faster than yielding to soft, when he only managed to beat two home at Punchestown back in October 2020.

If he handles the ground, I think Sir Bob can exploit his 15lbs lower mark over fences here.