Navagio

Navagio only finished fourth in the Madrid Handicap at Naas on Sunday, but there was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from his run. Settled back in the field early on by Danny Sheehy, he was keener than ideal through the early stages of the race, but he travelled well into the home straight, and he made nice ground from the rear at the three-furlong marker. Still travelling well at the two-furlong pole, he had to switch towards the far side in order to deliver his run, probably towards the slower part of the track, but he kept on well and, while he was well beaten by the winner Markaz Paname and the runner-up Mister Wilson, he was only just beaten by Eriskay for third place. It was a fine performance, racing in rear in a race in which the first two home occupied the first two positions from four furlongs out.

Johnny Murtagh’s horse didn’t make his racecourse debut until September last year and, while he didn’t win in three attempts last season, he showed plenty of ability. From the family of Wolferton Stakes winner Forgotten Voice and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arcangues, it may be that he will prove to be better over a mile than over seven furlongs, and there is every chance that he will progress when he learns to settle better as he gains in experience. He could be seen to best effect held up off a fast pace over a mile.
Naas, 27^th March 2022