UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

Although her stable wouldn't be noted for having juvenile winners, the Ciaran Murphy-trained VIERSON is bred to be a speedy sort. By Blue Point, a sire that has made an outstanding start to his career at stud, the filly is a half-sister to two winners. While it is likely that she will improve from the initial experience, connections may just have found a nice opportunity. Au Lait is a real threat, having run better on all three starts than her form figures indicate. Hampered on debut over course and distance before running on late, she ran green when sent off favourite on her second start, while the Ballyhane was a bridge too far last time. Do Si Do was well beaten over course and distance on debut last month but is sure to be all the better for that experience.
Prediction : 1st Vierson 2nd Au Lait 3rd Do Si Do

IL PELLEGRINO did very well to finish runner-up on his debut at the Curragh last month especially considering he got upset in the stalls and missed the break. However, once the penny began to drop, the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt kept on well to go second inside the last furlong. Provided that he settles better in the preliminaries, the son of No Nay Never should go one better. Goal Exceeded has run well enough on both appearances to date to suggest he can again make his presence felt. The John O'Donoghue-trained colt has an advantage over a few of these in terms of experience. Chet's Fancy is interesting on breeding on his racecourse debut and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Il Pellegrino 2nd Goal Exceeded 3rd Chets Fancy

KING CUAN should prove hard to beat in a race where he is favourably treated by the conditions. The Paddy Twomey-trained colt has won two of his three starts but could well be coming here unbeaten but for running into traffic problems on his racecourse debut at the Curragh. With the form of his two subsequent wins having worked out extremely well, the son of Tasleet looks a very smart prospect. Megarry has to concede weight all round but the recent Listed race winner should be capable of going close under Gary Carroll. While he is certainly more exposed than King Cuan, he has proven himself at a higher level and is more streetwise. Lia Fail doesn't have her usual claimer on board here but shouldn't be discounted despite having a bit to do at these weights.
Prediction : 1st King Cuan 2nd Megarry 3rd Lia Fail

Although yet to totally convince over this trip, CLEVER AND COOL stayed on well enough at Cork last time to suggest she has the stamina for such a test. The form of her win at Tipperary last month over just half-a-furlong shorter looks very strong in the context of this race. Provided her stamina reserves remain enact, the Jim Bolger-trained three-year-old should go very close. Mashia proved bitterly disappointing in a Group 2 at the Curragh last time but she was stepping up in both trip and class. On the balance of her form, the Dermot Weld-trained filly remains a smart prospect who could well have more to offer at this level. American Sonja doesn't have the easiest of draws to overcome but the Tasleet filly is a very consistent performer who should be involved.
Prediction : 1st Clever And Cool 2nd Mashia 3rd American Sonja

The Dermot Weld-trained AZAZAT should appreciate this easier grade having been highly tried since winning her maiden at Leopardstown in May. To her credit, the Aga Khan-owned three-year-old has run some big races, finishing second in Group 3 class at Cork and beaten less than eight lengths in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh. On her penultimate start, the daughter of Camelot showed that she was competitive at this level when runner-up over ten furlongs. Stepping back up in trip here is certainly going to see her in a more favourable light. Gather Ye Rosebuds is one of the more unexposed contenders in the race. A winner on her debut, the UK raider found the ground too quick at York but returned to her best last time. Dancing Tango needs to step forward but could well be capable of doing so.
Prediction : 1st Azazat 2nd Gather Ye Rosebuds 3rd Dancing Tango

DUTCH GOLD, a winner at the Curragh on Thursday, can complete a quick double. The Noel Meade-trained gelding was always prominent in that aforementioned race, showing a smart turn of foot to quicken clear inside the last two furlongs. With the automatic 7lb penalty he picked up for that win cancelled out by Neil Ryan's claim, the gelding can race off the same mark here. Immutable finished ahead of Dutch Gold at Navan in July but the latter was virtually pulled up after his reins broke. Since then, Immutable has gone on to finish runner-up in a Listed race. Yamalia Star, who was only just denied at Killarney last time, has been improving with every start. Jack Davison's filly shouldn't be too far away under Ronan Whelan.
Prediction : 1st Dutch Gold 2nd Immutable 3rd Yamalia Star

ALFALFA can continue the excellent form of the Tim Doyle stable by following up his recent win at Thurles. Runner-up on his previous two starts, the gelding had been very consistent prior to gaining that first career success. Although that win came over a mile-and-a-half, the son of Sir Prancealot seems adaptable tripwise having run well over nine furlongs previously. The Andrew McNamara-trained Red Trail arrives here bidding for a hat-trick having won his last two starts at Gowran and Down Royal respectively. Although climbing the handicap, the four-year-old may well have more to offer. Team of Firsts shaped well enough on two recent runs over hurdles to suggest he could well win races for new trainer Pat Flynn.
Prediction : 1st Alfalfa 2nd Red Trail 3rd Team Of Firsts

Having most likely being targeted at this race for some time, FILEY BAY can prove once again how good his trainer is at lining a horse up for a particular day. No stranger to competitive big race fields, the seven-year-old was placed in both the Betfair and County Hurdle last season. Following a highly commendable fifth in the Galway Hurdle in August, he reverted to the flat to win his maiden at Tramore next time. With a subsequent run over an inadequate 7f easily ignored, he has the appearance of a well handicapped horse. Last year's third, Powerful Aggie, appears to have improved in the interim, so has to be a leading contender under Conor Stone-Walsh. Immelmann is of obvious interest towards the foot of the weights. A winner at Thurles last time, he is relatively unexposed at this trip and trainer Willie Mullins excels with such horses.
Prediction : 1st Filey Bay 2nd Powerful Aggie 3rd Immelmann