UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

Drying ground makes this a tricky puzzle. SIR ALLEN has transitioned from the Flat to hurdling with aplomb. He got to within five lengths of the winner when second in Cork and the horse that beat him is second favourite in the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Sir Allen built upon that when beating a big field in Punchestown. Adam Ryan's 7lb claim could be invaluable in a tight race. Byker won over a similar trip at this track last month. That form got a boost when the third home delivered in Fairyhouse. Byker won't be inconvenienced by this ground as he won on good, good to soft in places going on the Flat in Britain. Metamorpheus has switched to Paul Nolan after winning his maiden hurdle at Punchestown by five lengths for Tim Doyle. He would be a contender if relishing better ground.
Prediction : 1st Sir Allen 2nd Byker 3rd Metamorpheus

HANDS OF GOLD beat Purse Price and Della Casa Lunga into second and third respectively in a ladies' auction maiden hurdle at Gowran Park last month and may take their scalps again. Hands Of Gold clearly enjoyed the step up in trip to an extended 2m4f as he stayed on strongly to sail in by six lengths. He gave both of those horses plenty of weight and looked one to keep on the right side of. This ground will be very different but, being by Shantou, it shouldn't be an issue. Jockey Ben Harvey has created a good impression since joining the conditional ranks. He takes a handy 5lb off Purse Price's back and she should be well involved. Della Casa Lunga has form on better ground and could get closer. Arthor is up in trip after running well in third at Thurles. Ideal Du Tabert starts his track career with Gavin Cromwell and a market move would be significant given the form of the stable.
Prediction : 1st Hands Of Gold 2nd Purse Price 3rd Della Casa Lunga

FRANCISCAN ROCK brings plenty of experience to the contest and is proven over this trip. He was well clear of the remainder over C&D when runner-up behind a horse that is being lined up for a staying race at the Cheltenham Festival. Henry de Bromhead's Raglan Road made his debut in a maiden hurdle at Limerick over Christmas. He made good headway after three out and was staying on in fifth when he fell at the next flight. Winners have come out of that race and he can get in the mix. Spillane's Tower ran a stormer at Wexford in October when beaten by a head. The horse that pipped him was then runner-up in a Grade 3 auction novice hurdle at Navan which really bolstered the form. Galway bumper winner Teuchters Glory has shown ability over hurdles. Workforadime has been placed in two bumpers albeit beaten a fair way. She could improve on hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Franciscan Rock 2nd Raglan Road 3rd Spillanes Tower

A wide-open contest which is difficult to assess. Gavin Cromwell and Gordon Elliott are both double handed, while Denis Hogan saddles three of the 16 set to take part. The in-form Cromwell is represented by handicap debutants Got Grey and Jump The Shark, and it'll be interesting to see how they are received in the market. BY YOUR SIDE and Knocknagappagh are the Elliott hopes, with preference for the former. Only a four-year-old, he ran a fine race on his handicap debut at Gowran and he'll have a nice weight on his back here with Carl Millar taking 2lb off. Listenheretomejack finished seven lengths ahead of the selection when making the breakthrough at Gowran on Thyestes day and he'll be well-fancied to follow-up, despite being 8lb higher in the handicap. Ernie From Nurney belied odds of 33/1 when a close third at Punchestown last month and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a few places better now. Falvio showed promise on his most recent start and warrants respect, while Luimneach and Look Dont Touch are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st By Your Side 2nd Listenheretomejack 3rd Ernie From Nurney

Elimay must give weight all round and may come up just short as she bids to win this race for the third year in a row. Her stable companion DINOBLUE, who will carry nearly a stone less, looks the one to beat. A good winner on her debut over fences, she found the classy Impervious just three lengths too good on her most recent outing. Impervious, who is the current joint-favourite for the Mares Chase at Cheltenham, since gave the form a boost by beating a field of geldings on her next start at Punchestown. Magic Daze was very disappointing on her return to action at Clonmel in October but performed much better at Fairyhouse since, going down by just three-parts of a length in a valuable handicap. Razzle Dazzle Love pulled up at Fairyhouse recently and an improved performance can be expected from her, fitted with first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Elimay 3rd Magic Daze

BILLAWAY, fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time, should prove hard to beat as he bids to win this race for the fourth year in a row. A brilliant servant to connections, he was beaten on his return to action at Thurles last month but should come on plenty for that effort. Willie Mullins trains the selection and he is also responsible for Annamix. Third in the Topham at Aintree last year, he disappointed in two recent point-to-point starts when in the care of Aidan Fitzgerald. A three-time winner in his native France, Le Malin is given second preference. He got within a length and a half of Winged Leader at Cragmore last month and a reproduction of that performance should see him go close. Grange Island won a weak contest at Clonmel on his most recent start and will need to improve if he is to feature here, while Dinny Lacey is likely to struggle.
Prediction : 1st Billaway 2nd Le Malin 3rd Annamix

With very little form to go on, the market will be informative. Cappucino was a fine third on debut at Naas but that might not have been a strong contest, with runner-up Ankud since disappointing at Gowran. A Godolphin cast off, SAMUI is likely to prove popular with punters. He was bought for 32,000 pounds at Tattersalls in October and is related to plenty of winners. Gordon Elliott trains the selection and he is also represented by Smokey Putnum who failed to make an impact on debut. A 17,000-euro purchase at Tattersalls in May, Topgun Simmy is given second preference. He is out of four-time winner Petuna, who herself is a half-sister to 2017 Grand Annual victor Rock The World. Gabriel Ranger is out of a dual winner in Nicaragua and will be ridden by John Gleeson, who is sure to be still on a high after his big win on A Dream To Share at the Dublin Racing Festival last weekend. The Noel Meade-trained Ganderstown is another for the shortlist. He is out of a half-sister to Bear Story, a Group 3 winner on the level.
Prediction : 1st Samui 2nd Topgun Simmy 3rd Gabriel Ranger