UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

The fact that LAUNCH has form in soft ground could be the difference here. The US-bred filly was second in testing conditions at Cork on her debut when just collared late on over this trip. She has posted a couple of good placed efforts since, including back at the Mallow venue when third to Asean in a nursery 10 days ago. The Caribbean drops in class now having finished last in Group 3 company at the Curragh last time. That came in soft ground which would be a worry. Rush Queen is another dropping back from stakes company that has to be considered. Her last run came over seven furlongs and she should be better suited by sprint trips.
Prediction : 1st Launch 2nd Rush Queen 3rd The Caribbean

PRETTY BOY FLOYD has fallen a nice bit in the weights and ran much better when second over in Ayr a fortnight ago. He handles this kind of ground and having only gone up a pound for his recent effort he looks capable of getting back in the winners' enclosure now. Another veteran, Teddy Boy, has been knocking on the door and was just denied at Cork last time when running on strongly late on. He went up 5lb for that effort but looks in a good place and is capable of running a big race here. Eruption has been second on her last couple of outings and is another that has to come into consideration in a typically tricky looking sprint.
Prediction : 1st Pretty Boy Floyd 2nd Teddy Boy 3rd Eruption

There may be more to come from OSTRAKA on just her third start. The daughter of Profitable and smart sprinter Ostatnia won on her debut at the Curragh before finishing fourth in a hot conditions race won by Tango Flare at Fairyhouse a fortnight later. She was surrounded by some decent types that day and the winner has gone on to run well in stakes company since. This is softer ground for Ostraka but her mother handled it which would be encouraging. Craft Irish ran really well to finish fourth in listed company on her last visit here and having been left unchanged by the handicapper she has a big shout back in a lower grade now. Wave Machine has run well on her last couple of visits here and could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Ostraka 2nd Craft Irish 3rd Wave Machine

The well-bred WATER NYMPH may be able to gain valuable brackets here. The Saxon Warrior filly is out of a full-sister to High Chaparral and has some solid maiden form in the book. She was third to easy winner Eternal Silence on her last visit here in late June and doesn't face anything of that quality now. The handicapper says she has a couple of pounds to find with the 80-rated Emotivo who has been placed twice from five runs and was a solid third at Limerick on her last outing. Fiver Friday was well held in handicap company last time but could be given a chance on previous maiden form.
Prediction : 1st Water Nymph 2nd Emotivo 3rd Fiver Friday

VAUBAN looks the one to beat here off his new rating of 114. The French-bred was a revelation when switched back to the Flat at Royal Ascot, running out a highly impressive winner of the Copper Horse Handicap. The classy hurdler is versatile ground-wise and this looks a nice tune-up for some big targets later in the season. Layfayette looks the danger on official ratings and steps back up in trip here having been a cosy winner of a listed race at Limerick over a mile-and-a-half on his penultimate start. Derby fourth Peking Opera is still relatively unexposed and it will be interesting to see how he performs against his elders. That form has taken a couple of knocks since and the fifth horse, Up And Under, was beaten in a Galway maiden the other day.
Prediction : 1st Vauban 2nd Layfayette 3rd Peking Opera

A strong English presence and GOLDEN TRICK may prove best. The Galileo Gold colt took a while to find his feet around Chester last month but was nicely on top close home when easing down to record a length-and-a-quarter success. There looks to be plenty more to come from him and a straight course should suit better. Jungle Mate is 4lb better off for a head defeat by That's For Sure at Carlisle last time and may be able to turn the tables on that rival now. Vanity Pays wasn't disgraced when fifth in listed company here 12 days ago and may be best of the home team. Paddy Twomey fits her with a visor now and she looks to have the ability to be a big player.
Prediction : 1st Golden Trick 2nd Jungle Mate 3rd Vanity Pays

TURBULENCE didn't get the clearest of passages when sent to post favourite on his last outing at Killarney and may be able to get compensation now. The Night Of Thunder gelding had to wait for a gap before staying on to finish fourth to Church Mountain. Going a bit further should suit now. He is now 4lb better off with the winner who could also find a bit of improvement at this trip. Golden Spangle gained a breakthrough success at Down Royal last time and is on a competitive looking mark back in handicap company. She is fitted with cheekpieces now.
Prediction : 1st Turbulence 2nd Church Mountain 3rd Golden Spangle