Steve Ryder has three tips for today's action, with all three running at Naas.
12:30 Naas
This looks a very winnable maiden and preference goes to the Joseph Murray trained MICKEY THE STEEL (best priced at 6-1) who can get off the mark at the fifteenth attempt. The son of Hot Streak is joint top rated in the field with a mark of 73 and he also has proven form on heavy ground.
Mickey The Steel twice finished 2nd over this course and distance as a two-year-old on heavy ground before returning as a three-year-old as a gelding. He has dropped down from an opening mark of 83 down to 73 which shows that his form hasn’t progressed this season but he bounced back to form last time at Navan when 2nd over 5f shaping like this step back up to 6f would suit him well. With conditions to suit, I feel Mickey The Steel should outrun his odds.
13:00 Naas
Aidan O’Brien has the favourite for the race with King Of Bavaria but I feel he holds stronger claims with the Wayne Lordan ridden HEART TO HEART (best priced at 9-1). The daughter of Zoffany is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Golden Horde but in comparison she has taken a while to get the hang of racing.
Heart To Heart appreciated the soft ground at Navan last time when getting off the mark in a maiden which is working out particularly well on form. The second Dancing Rebel (now rated 80) won on her next start, the third Siesta Beach (now rated 88) won on her next start and even the fifth Tosen Wish won on his next start. Heart To Heart runs here back in a nursery off a mark of 80 which could underestimate her and I expect her to run well with up to six places available.
13:35 Naas
EARLS (best priced at 7-1) won this race last year off 1lb lower on his stable debut for Garvan Donnelly and he should hold strong claims again this year. The son of Dream Ahead is yet to win so far this season but did finish 2nd off a mark of 71 and Listowel last month.
Earls is now encountering heavy ground for the first time since his victory in this race last season and should run well under Wayne Lordan who has ridden him on his previous four starts with four places on offer off a mark of 72.
