UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

The Dermot Weld-trained TANNOLA can go one better having just been touched off on her racecourse debut at Galway earlier this month. A half-sister to multiple blacktype performers, the Aga Khan-owned filly was two-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of a subsequent Group 2 placed juvenile. Granted normal improvement from that hugely promising debut, it will take a smart filly to lower her colours. National Lady has to be a serious contender having also offered plenty of encouragement when third on her debut at Leopardstown last month. The runner-up has since finished second in that aforementioned Group 2. On collateral form, there is unlikely to be too much between herself and Tannola. Four Blondes, who outran her big odds when third at the Curragh last time, could be suited to the additional furlong.
Prediction : 1st Tannola 2nd National Lady 3rd Four Blondes

With the form of the race in which she made her debut at this track last month working out really well, EMERALD BANNER could be set to take a significant step forward. Although only fifth on the day, the Jessica Harrington-trained filly ran a bit better than that bare form, having run green in the latter stages of that contest. With the benefit of that experience to call upon, she should be much more streetwise on this occasion. Sweetest failed to live up to pre-race expectations when managing only third place on her recent debut at Cork. The fact she was sent off an odds-on favourite clearly suggests that the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly is a smart juvenile. Back Down Under is more exposed than most but has shown enough ability in four runs to suggest she can play a part.
Prediction : 1st Emerald Banner 2nd Sweetest 3rd Back Down Under

MCTENETT can progress from an opening fourth in a Sligo sprint. This Starspangledbanner colt put in plenty of good late work to get up for fourth close home this month. Byzantine Empress has been placed twice, and has stall one and Seamie Heffernan's assistance. A good run is more than probable. Smart Impression outran her 150/1 odds when mid-division in a Group 3 over C&D in May. Her subsequent fourth in Dundalk after a break was a fair effort and the third home has since delivered. Bergamasco was beaten a fair way into fourth over further at Roscommon in June, however, the winner of that race is very smart and swept home by six lengths. There was merit in Bergamasco's performance. Darren Bunyan's newcomer Valentino Express is worth keeping an eye on in the market.
Prediction : 1st Mctenett 2nd Byzantine Empress 3rd Smart Impression

OCEAN QUEST and Ocean Jewel are well ahead of the field on official ratings and the former appeals most. She ran an absolute cracker in fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when beaten just over two lengths. That is very strong form and it has been well franked. She is ground versatile. Ocean Jewel is returning off a break since landing a Group 3 over an extended 7f at Leopardstown in mid-June. She has the pace for a quality sprint contest as she was only beaten a head and half a length into third in a Group 3 over C&D in May (with Ocean Quest just in front of her in second). Rain wouldn't be to her advantage, though. Clounmacon successfully dropped back to sprinting in Listed class over C&D last month and there could be more to come from her. Racing in rear and passing horses seemed to suit her well and she should get plenty of pace to aim at in this contest. Lady Tilbury, Aussie Girl and My Eyes Adore You should be in the mix for prize money.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Quest 2nd Ocean Jewel 3rd Clounmacon

UNIVERSALLY found a mile just stretching him when fifth here last month and found this trip more to his liking when third in a higher grade of handicap at the Curragh last weekend. He got a 5lb hike for that but might be able to defy it now that he's found a bit of form. Teddy Boy is a regular in this type of event and registered his fifth win when landing a C&D contest on soft ground earlier in the month. He was a place behind the selection at the Curragh but there was a gap of six lengths between them so he may struggle to turn around the form even with the pull in the weights. Jazzy Dancer has been running well and has Colin Keane's assistance. He was third to Teddy Boy here last time but his sole win came over 5f last term and he may be better suited by that distance.
Prediction : 1st Universally 2nd Teddy Boy 3rd Jazzy Dancer

A winner at Listowel earlier in the summer, ARCH ENEMY was caught late when second at Galway and lost her place early in the straight at Leopardstown on Thursday before rattling home to finish third. It's significant that Patrick Magee pulls her out again so quickly and the step up from a mile will suit her. Out On Friday recorded back-to-back wins over 1m4f at Fairyhouse in June and has run creditably in defeat since. A prominent racer, he went well for a long way when fifth over this trip at the Curragh last weekend. Apprentice won on her third handicap start at Tipperary in April and was fifth in her first start against older horses at Leopardstown the following month. She may have strengthened up after a nice break over the summer and her trainer was amongst the winners at Killarney this week.
Prediction : 1st Arch Enemy 2nd Out On Friday 3rd Apprentice

A maiden winner on the all-weather at Dundalk in the spring, TAKE HEART returned from five months off to finish second at the Curragh a fortnight ago. Raised 4lb for that creditable effort on handicap debut, Johnny Murtagh's charge can go one place better here. Golden Spangle has scrambled home by a short head on her last two starts, including over course and distance last time, and obviously hasn't been hit too hard in the ratings as a result. She's 3lb out of the handicap but further progression is possible. Enfranchise has to concede plenty of weight to the three-year-olds in here but was a wide margin winner over hurdles at Galway last time and won the Ulster Oaks over this trip at Down Royal in June.
Prediction : 1st Take Heart 2nd Golden Spangle 3rd Enfranchise

LORD VADER was twice runner-up on Kempton's all-weather track when trained in Britain last year and has been in reasonable form for Emmet Mullins this term. He ran well to be fourth in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh last month and was placed in a Galway festival maiden on his latest start. San Martino ran fairly well in a few maiden hurdles earlier in the year and the pick of his form on the Flat last year, including when third in a valuable handicap at Listowel, would see him go close. Noble Anthem, starting off for a new yard and fitted with a tongue-tie, comes over from Britain. He's been below par of late but won twice last year including a handicap win over this trip at Ayr.
Prediction : 1st Lord Vader 2nd San Martino 3rd Noble Anthem