UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

RIVER TIBER was a most impressive ten length winner on debut at Navan and, even though the runner-up did nothing for the form next time, is difficult to oppose. The slight drop in trip is not a concern and he can take this en route to Royal Ascot. Stablemate Democracy won nicely himself at the Curragh and the runner-up has been placed a couple of times since. Tourist looked a winner for a long way until outpointed close home by another Ballydoyle-trained juvenile at this venue while I Am Invictus made 160,000 guineas at the Craven Breeze-Up Sales and makes most appeal of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st River Tiber 2nd Democracy 3rd Tourist

LADIES CHURCH, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, was a Group 2 winner at the Curragh last summer where she just pipped Mooneista on good ground. She comes into this race-fit having been out in Dubai where she just failed to add another Group 2 success to her tally on her penultimate start. Mooneista was bought for 850,000 guineas out of Jack Davison's yard in the autumn and has a nice pull at the weights with the selection compared to their clash at the Curragh. She's a Group 2 winner herself but that was some time ago so she escapes a penalty. Moss Tucker would prefer easier ground but has won two of his last three starts at Listed level while Tees Spirit was a big improver last term and these British sprinters always have to be feared when they come over to Ireland.
Prediction : 1st Ladies Church 2nd Mooneista 3rd Tees Spirit

WEST OF WICHITA will be a bit of a price but makes some appeal after a promising debut at Cork. Kevin Coleman's filly wasn't unsupported but lost her chance with a slow break before coming home well to finish fourth. It wouldn't be the greatest surprise to see her turn around form with the first two home that day, Bated Moon and Launch, over this extra furlong. Ziggy's Dream has shown plenty of ability on soft ground and represents a yard which has won a couple of stakes races when sending horses over to Ireland while course and distance winner Ribchestina has switched yards but may not have beaten a lot in that debut victory. Making Time ran well against colts here on her first start while both Jakku and Navassa Island cost plenty and are notable newcomers.
Prediction : 1st West Of Wichita 2nd Ziggys Dream 3rd Making Time

Last year's Irish 2000 Guineas second NEW ENERGY should be a lot sharper now having had the benefit of a recent outing at Leopardstown. The Sheila Lavery-trained colt was slightly disappointing in managing only fourth in a Group 3 at the Foxrock venue but he wouldn't have been suited by the heavy ground. Back on a quicker surface now, it would be a surprise if he didn't play a major role in the outcome of this race. The improvement of Lord Massusus as a three-year-old has been one of the stories of the flat season to date. The Joseph Murphy-trained gelding was value for more than the winning margin over 6f here last time and he is already proven at this trip. Yerwanthere has a bit to find on official ratings but is a thoroughly unexposed, unbeaten filly who has further scope for progression.
Prediction : 1st New Energy 2nd Lord Massusus 3rd Yerwanthere

OCEAN QUEST may be able to confirm Navan form with The Antarctic, despite meeting that rival on 5lbs worse terms. The Jessica Harrington-trained filly caused a real upset at the County Meath venue when proving too strong for the dual Group 1-placed Ballydoyle colt but there appeared to be no fluke about her victory. Much will depend on the draw here, as Ocean Quest is berthed in stall 13, while her main threat has been handed a low number. The Antarctic seems certain to come on from his seasonal debut and should strip fitter for this contest. He looks a potentially top-class sprinter in the making so deserves plenty of respect. Mauiewowie made a hugely impressive winning debut over 5f at this track last season before going on to acquit herself well in Listed company subsequently. The Ger Lyons-trained filly has stamina to prove but has to enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Quest 2nd The Antarctic 3rd Mauiewowie

UNLESS has been a frustrating sort to follow but may finally get her turn. The impeccably bred daughter of Justify out of the Group 1 winner Clemmie has filled the runner-up spot on all three outings this year and had three of these rivals well behind when fitted with blinkers over C&D earlier this month. Sweetest Rose also has plenty of experience filling the runner-up spot on her latest three starts including when reappearing at Limerick last month and Ger Lyons now fits blinkers on the Dark Angel filly. Lan Cinnte went close at Navan last autumn and could be suited by this step up to a mile while Persian Jewel should progress from her debut last month. Hotaugustnight and Rival Queen are two newcomers to note.
Prediction : 1st Unless 2nd Sweetest Rose 3rd Lan Cinnte

NATIONAL EMBLEM took a nice step up from his debut at the Curragh last summer when prominent throughout to take a seven-furlong maiden at Gowran Park beating Lord Massusus and Mister Mister. That pair are now rated 106 and 97 respectively so you would have to think that the selection starts handicap life here on a reasonable mark. Down Royal maiden winner Amazing Show takes a big drop in class after running in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last time, while Fort Vega finished well to land a Gowran maiden earlier this month. He should appreciate the extra furlong but would also be suited by a little ease in the ground. Broadhurst was unsuited by testing ground when reappearing at the Curragh but opened his account in no uncertain fashion at Dundalk last month. Mere Accountant is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st National Emblem 2nd Amazing Show 3rd Fort Vega

BLUES EMPEROR won a Listowel maiden over a mile last year and ran a cracker on his reappearance when beating all bar the progressive Dunum at Limerick. The Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding has only faced soft ground on the turf and could be open to further improvement on this surface. Red Heel won five times for Mick Mulvany including over this trip at the Curragh last summer and has now joined Willie McCreery, although riding arrangements suggest Belharra may be preferred of the Curragh trainer's pair. The latter won five times in France and was probably unsuited by the soft ground on her Irish debut. Comfort Line was also trained by Mick Mulvany when winning over a mile at Navan last summer and has dropped back down in the ratings after racing on soft ground so far this year.
Prediction : 1st Blues Emperor 2nd Belharra 3rd Red Heel