UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

There should be more to come from THE LOVELY MAN on his third start. He attracted support ahead of a promising debut fourth at Fairyhouse before Christmas, and the form of that race received a massive boost when the winner went on to land the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival. The Lovely Man then kept on for fifth at Naas after losing his place on a couple of occasions. By Your Side has been placed in three of his eight hurdle races and got closer to that elusive victory on his latest start when beaten a length and a half into second at Navan. Newcomer Splendid Choice has winners in his pedigree.
Prediction : 1st The Lovely Man 2nd By Your Side 3rd Splendid Choice

TROUBLED TIMES is taken to make a winning return. She wouldn't want the ground to get too deep, though, as she was scratched from a Grade 3 novice hurdle in Limerick this month due to soft ground. Her form really stacks up. She won her bumper on debut at Killarney last May and signed off in September with a Listed bumper victory (on yielding ground) at Gowran Park. In between those runs, she posted a runner-up berth over hurdles at Ballinrobe in July. Chautuaqua brings a solid level of form to the contest. A mistake at the last did her no favours in Navan as she dropped to fourth. That's a finishing berth she is getting accustomed to. Something Abouther has had her Limerick bumper win of November 2021 well endorsed in more recent times. She could show improvement on her third start over hurdles. Gordon Elliott's Emotional Damage is a newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Troubled Times 2nd Chautuaqua 3rd Something Abouther

Walhaan and Doyen Ta Win are more than able to force the pace, so this could be a proper test. In addition, they are both in winning form. ABBEYDALE holds an entry in a Grade A handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse next month which shows the regard he is held in. He turns up after staying on well to see it out best in a Gowran Park maiden hurdle. Nucky Johnson is reappearing after being promoted to first in a Punchestown maiden hurdle in November. The form of his four runs (two wins and two places) is very solid and he has won off a break before. Ludus could exploit a very light weight. Marelly has improved by well over a stone since October and has earned a shot at this prize.
Prediction : 1st Abbeydale 2nd Nucky Johnson 3rd Ludus

CRAFTY GAEL catches the eye off a light weight. There was plenty of merit in his first two ventures into handicap company when he was a never-nearer sixth at Punchestown in January, before running well in second in a much better class of race over a similar trip at this track. Nemean is likely to be popular after staying on to get to within a neck of the winner at Wexford. That was on better ground, but he has form on yielding, yielding to soft in places. He gets a first-time tongue-strap. Dragon's Pass should be in there pitching in addition to Thurles winner Mahlers Cove and Take My Hand.
Prediction : 1st Crafty Gael 2nd Nemean 3rd Dragons Pass

KALANISI DUBH finished unplaced when a big price for a Grade 3 novice hurdle in Clonmel, but this should be more to her liking. Her previous two runs saw her win at Down Royal before being beaten by a head at the same track. Thecornerhouse has turned the corner. She has sealed victories in her last couple of starts in Thurles and in Down Royal when notably strong on the run-in. She drops back in trip, but the question is whether the handicapper has her measure off 10lb higher. Memory Of Youth has claims on her third place over further in Fairyhouse. The Connector delivered in Punchestown and will have plenty of supporters. Miss Tempo is returning off a long absence, but was formerly useful.
Prediction : 1st Kalanisi Dubh 2nd The Connector 3rd Memory Of Youth

TANGENTAL has bright prospects. It could be argued that he was somewhat unlucky to lose by a head in Thurles after he was less than fluent at the last and stumbled badly on the run-in before rallying. The winner has since scored again and Tangental was eight lengths clear of the third home. Furthermore, he won his previous staying handicap at Clonmel. Morrie In D Quarry has been placed in two of his last three handicap hurdles and is capable of landing more prize money. My Friend The Wind reverts to hurdles from fences and has better claims than most. Duffys Getaway is better than he showed in Down Royal. A tongue-strap is tried on him. Townhill Penny could have a say, but would prefer better ground. Elsannah could improve for a step up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Tangental 2nd Morrie In D Quarry 3rd My Friend The Wind

MIRAZUR WEST is a full brother to the top-class Ferny Hollow who won the Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper three years ago. This five-year-old gelding fell at the last when winning his point-to-point and has moved to Willie Mullins for his track career which is eagerly anticipated. Mahon's Way made a whopping 360,000 guineas at the Cheltenham November Sale after winning his point-to-point by a comfortable four lengths. He is certainly of interest on track debut for Henry de Bromhead. Ask Anything is a point-to-point winner who has had the benefit of a run in a bumper in which he finished fifth. He's My Hero showed promise when a close second in a point-to-point almost a year ago.
Prediction : 1st Mirazur West 2nd Mahons Way 3rd Ask Anything