Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Monday including 11/2 Navan fancy

Navan, 14:18 - Back Gegenpressing E/W @ 9/110.00

From a mark of 50 with 7lb claimer Jessica O'Gorman in the saddle, Gegenpressing is one to note in this 6f sprint at Navan. He's 3lb lower than when recording his latest success at Sligo last spring over this distance, making appeal at the weights should he return to form. 

In recent runs, the eight-year-old hasn't been seen to best effect but could be worth keeping the faith in. He was far from disgraced over course-and-distance when last seen in October, sticking to the task late on in a competitive 19-runner race, and could fare better this time around. 

The Eddie and Patrick Harty-trained contender, who is making his 59th career start in this contest, holds each-way claims from a workable mark and could be able to put in a competitive effort as he seeks a sixth win.

Ludlow, 15:57 - Back Your Darling @ 7/42.75

Dropping in class from a workable mark of 139, Your Darling holds leading claims in this three-mile Ludlow contest for Ben Pauling, capable of adding to his six career wins to date.

The 11-year-old has been sparingly seen in recent seasons and spent 544 days off before returning to action at Ascot in November. He improved plenty for his reappearance to be only narrowly denied by The Doyen Chief in his subsequent run at Kempton, sticking to the task well, before finishing strongly when third to Montregard at Ascot in his latest start, too.

A classy performer on his day, Your Darling should have too much class for his rivals in this field and can put in a bold bid under Ben Jones.

Navan, 17:18 - Back Elm Creek E/W @ 11/26.50

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut, there could be plenty of further improvement to come from three-year-old Elm Creek, who is an interesting contender in this field from an opening mark of 64 under 5lb claiming Paddy Harnett. 

The son of Australia has made three appearances to date in maiden company, failing to make an impression on debut after a slow start, giving lengths away when coming from the stalls. It was a run worth forgiving, and he suffered a similar start in his second outing at Leopardstown. 

In his penultimate appearance, Elm Creek shaped with some promise in the straight, failing to quicken effectively enough to have any impact on the race from a difficult position, but sticking on over the 7f trip. He enjoyed a better trip around Dundalk when last seen despite failing to make the frame again, but was slightly inconvenienced in the straight and should be able to take another step forward with the benefit of further experience.

The colt is out of a mile-winning half-sister to Under The Rainbow, Listed-placed over 1m6f, dam of classy middle-distance performer Luncies. Elm Creek's dam, Swingland, is also a close relation to 1m6f winner Sweeping Up as well as Starfala, dam of strong stayer Stag Horn, who was once fourth to Stradivarius in the Sagaro Stakes.

There's plenty of class and black-type further back in the pedigree, too, with his great-grand-dam Fragrant Hill, a daughter of Shirley Heights, producing multiple Group One performers including Group One winners in Fragrant Mix and Alpine Rose.

Elm Creek is a half-brother to Thunder Roll, a talented filly who recorded two Listed wins as well as putting in competitive efforts in Group company, including when a length-and-a-half fourth to Grateful in the Prix de Royallieu. She was effective over a mile-and-a-half with form over a mile-and-three-quarters too, which would suggest there should be more to come from her half-brother over further distances, stepping up to 1m2f here.

Wolverhampton, 17:30 - Back Forever Noah E/W @ 9/110.00

Joey Ramsden-trained Forever Noah was in good form over the winter, putting in consistent performances on the all-weather including when winning at Chelmsford from a mark of 52.

Only 2lb higher here, he can return to form following a couple of below par efforts over the minimum trip, back over 6f in the hands of Fletcher Yarham. The five-year-old finished a two-length third to the brilliantly in-form Yorkshire Glory at Southwell last month, on level weights with the winner who is now rated 11lb higher on a mark of 66. 

That form has been franked and there's enough to like about Forever Noah's chances in this contest from his current rating. He should be able to pose a threat and could be capable of showing further improvement with cheekpieces taken off this time out.

Wolverhampton, 18:30 - Back Tribal Wisdom E/W @ 12/113.00

Experienced seven-year-old Tribal Wisdom is making his 50th career start in this extended 1m1f contest. He's a course-and-distance winner and is now only 1lb higher than his last win. 

Since recording his latest success, the Ian Williams-trained contender has put in a number of good efforts, including in a higher class, running consistently well in defeat. He is suited by this distance and, considering he rarely puts in a disappointing effort, warrants consideration from a workable mark under David Probert.

A likeable performer, Tribal Wisdom has proven he still retains plenty of ability and can make his presence felt in this field.

Now read more horse racing columns here