UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

As a racehorse The Gurkha was always held in the highest of regard at Ballydoyle and hopes are high that he can make a big impression as a sire in his first season with runners. Unraced at two, The Gurkha won the French 2,000 Guineas and the Sussex Stakes at three, and he comes from the family of Arc winner Solemia. Aidan O'Brien recently made it known that the few he has by The Gurkha go very well. Apparently they look like Danehill/Galileo type horses now, so to that end FINEST should be suited to stepping up to this stiff six furlong test. She can show the benefit of the experience picked up in a Curragh sprint a week back. Catch Kodi is by another first season sire, Kodi Bear, and looks interesting.
Prediction : 1st Finest 2nd Catch Kodi 3rd Allagar

Word is that Collective Power is a nice colt. Trainer Eddie Lynam raced this fellow's dam as well as the sire. Indeed Gathering Power won a premier handicap at this venue under Fergal Lynch. That was an event to remember for Lynam in 2013 as he also saddled the second home, Boston Rocker. Gathering Power finished up with a rating of 102 and she got black-type several times. For a selection MILITARY STYLE is the suggestion, under second favourite to be this season's champion jockey, Seamie Heffernan. Ballydoyle's other hope, Mexico City, could clearly be up to taking a hand as well, in the hands of Wayne Lordan. Eastern Voice (form got a massive boost when Battleground won at Royal Ascot) and Hale Bopp (by first-season sire Belardo) can hardly be dismissed either.
Prediction : 1st Military Style 2nd Collective Power 3rd Mexico City

FIT FOR FUNCTION and Inflection Point clash again after their course and distance meeting twelve days back. They finished second and fourth respectively on that occasion behind Parkers Hill and the selection is taken to uphold the form. The selection's trainer, Joe Murphy sent out a nice winner with Collaborating doing the business at the first time of asking at Gowran on Wednesday. He's booked last season's joint champion apprentice Andrew Slattery for the spin on the selection, and the fellow Tipperary man's 5lb allowance is like gold dust. Murphy also has Kodiqueen in the mix. The Kieran Cotter yard had the bookies running for cover when Strong Johnson won at the Curragh recently. Colin Keane steered that fellow home, and he looks sure to go close on Inflection Point too.
Prediction : 1st Fit For Function 2nd Inflection Point 3rd Kodiqueen

Tom McCourt has his horses in cracking order and the Stamullen handler is two-handed in this competitive heat with Stamp Of Authority and LADY SCATHACH worthy of attention. The latter simply has to be on the shortlist after her second placing behind Palabres at Leopardstown last week. She strongly pressed the winner to the line on that occasion, when going down by a neck. Another could be in the offing. If any of the less-exposed sorts, especially among the three-year-olds, were to come alive in the betting, then such moves could justifiably be seen as significant.
Prediction : 1st Lady Scathach 2nd Stamp Of Authority 3rd Dark Design

SLIEVE BEARNAGH won on his first turf handicap start at Roscommon on Monday and might be able to follow up here. He is out of a winning dam who is herself by Galileo and a sister to a Group 1 winner so SLIEVE BEARNAGH is open to plenty more progression and can continue to climb the handicap ladder some more. Golden Days was a neck second to the selection at Roscommon and while raised 2lb for that run, is now 3lb better off with the selection with today's rider now claiming 5lb. She too has her second turf handicap start here and should also go close, but has a wider draw in 14. Mogwli won over 6f at Fairyhouse (Take My Hand was well enough held in third) five days ago and the step back up to 7f shouldn't inconvenience. He has top weight, minus his rider's 5lb claim, but it is a positive that he is still entitled to run in this 45-65 grade and should go well. Kosman was behind the selection at Roscommon and is now tried in a first-time visor while Sweet Justice showed improvement at Gowran nine days ago and has claims on that basis.
Prediction : 1st Slieve Bearnagh 2nd Golden Days 3rd Mogwli

The Sceptical crew have interesting times ahead and will be hoping their grand money-spinner TONY THE GENT can gain further glory here. TONY THE GENT landed a gamble when beating his sole danger and the team's other runner Yuften (easy-to-back, slowly away, too far back, finished well, returned lame) in a 'referred-on' race at Dundalk in March and while he reverts to handicaps now, should still go well from his 75 rating. He is a proven performer at this grade, has a favourable draw in 5 and is again ridden by a capable 7lb apprentice. Previous course winner Miracles In May had been in fine form at Dundalk earlier this year and while she comes here with solid, has a wide draw in 13 and now competes from a career high mark. Arletta Star was picked up for just 5,000gns last December having won twice in Britain and while she could win races in Ireland, hasn't run since last August which is a concern.
Prediction : 1st Tony The Gent 2nd Miracles In May 3rd Arletta Star

PUNITA ARORA was a C&D winner in a similar Listed race on her last start 12 days ago and could follow up here. She is often slowly into stride and wouldn't like the ground to become testing but were the ground to remain reasonably good, she has strong and obvious form claims and holds three of today's (including Celtic Beauty, finished 4L sixth then but can get involved for the placings today) runners on that form. PUNITA ARORA is also possibly marginally better on turf than the all-weather but was nonetheless beaten by You'resobeautiful when the latter made her debut at Dundalk in March. You'resobeautiful is clearly a smart type and proved her worth with a solid maiden win at Navan 10 days ago. She should give the selection plenty to worry about. Tango was well held on reappearance but is capable of better while stablemate Precious Moments was third in that same race but is vulnerable to smart types. Lady Penelope was Listed runner-up in Ayr last September and while she needs to improve a little to win, she wouldn't mind easy ground.
Prediction : 1st Punita Arora 2nd Tango 3rd Youresobeautiful

MAKE A CHALLENGE has improved from an initial rating of 68 in December 2018 to his current 112 mark and should take plenty beating here. His best for has been at 6f but he did win the Joe McGrath Handicap at the Curragh over 5f last September, is proven on most ground conditions and while well enough held in valuable race at Doha in February, this is a drop in class. Southern Horse was just that in 2018/19 when he finished second in an Argentinian Group 1 race when trained in the southern hemisphere. He has yet to show any star qualities in useful races in Britain in Ireland but his latest runs have been good, and while well held by Sceptical here 12 days ago, that rival is potentially top class. Urban Beat was behind the selection at the Curragh in October but has some place claims again today while Beckford's glory days are surely in the past but he is nonetheless of interest on his debut for Ger Lyons here.
Prediction : 1st Make A Challenge 2nd Southern Horse 3rd Urban Beat