UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

Recent Thurles winner ARDERA RU can double up by recording a second career win over fences. Eoin Doyle's mare had excuses when failing to make any impact on her chasing debut last July but shaped much better when runner-up at Tramore in April. Back from a summer break, the mare was an easy winner on her latest start. Still rated 5lb below her hurdles mark, she has a bit in hand. Midnight It Is boasts a similar profile although Gavin Cromwell's gelding has more experience over the larger obstacles. A winner at Clonmel last month, the seven-year-old remains one to be interested in. Magnium has little to recommend him on recent form but trainer Gordon Elliott did remarkably well with a similar type for the same owner last season.
Prediction : 1st Ardera Ru 2nd Midnight It Is 3rd Magnium

KING OF KINGSFIELD has to be given another chance despite suffering an odds on reversal on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last month. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was one of the leading bumper horses last season, ending his campaign with an excellent third in a Grade 1 contest at the Punchestown Festival. While his subsequent defeat was unquestionably a setback, time may show that he came up against a very useful opponent. Point-to-point winner Slade Steel made a winning racecourse debut at Punchestown in December before running with credit when third in a stronger race at that same venue on his last start. He should be capable of taking a step forward again this term. Icare Desbois has been off the track since making a winning debut at Fairyhouse 574 days ago but such an absence is seldom a concern with his trainer.
Prediction : 1st King Of Kingsfield 2nd Slade Steel 3rd Icare Desbois

HYPOTENUS, who couldn't have won any easier on stable debut last time, holds leading claims of following up. The former French flat winner made a very pleasing Irish debut for John McConnell when runner-up in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 on his Irish debut but failed to go on from there. While there would be a slight concern that he could do likewise for Gavin Cromwell, the four-year-old has to be given the benefit of the doubt. Smooth Tom achieved a mark of 90 on the flat before switching to hurdles to make a winning debut at Listowel. The Andrew Slattery-trained representative has a decent turn of foot that could prove crucial in this small field. Golden Joy is difficult to access having easily won his only start over hurdles in is native France.
Prediction : 1st Hypotenus 2nd Smooth Tom 3rd Golden Joy

MAHON'S WAY was a 360,000-pound purchase following last November's point-to-point win and ran well on bumper debut in March. He was pushed out to win on debut for trainer Denis Hogan at Lisronagh and subsequently ran well behind a high-class winner at Naas, with the other principal beaten horses possessing ability. Stepping up in distance could also suit. Chosen Witness is a big galloper and while outclassed in graded bumpers last term, ran well enough behind another high-class winner at Punchestown and should also be suited by this distance. Ataboycharlie showed promise on Galway debut and while he contests a stronger maiden, can progress. Spread Boss Ted had good bumper form is 2022 but is best watched on reappearance following 469 days off. Experienced Clodders Dream needs to improve to win. Chigorin ran well on debut for Pat Doyle at Knockanard but is stable second string, while All For Rachel runs in a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Mahons Way 2nd Chosen Witness 3rd Ataboycharlie

THECOMPANYSERGEANT handled heavy ground when winning a maiden at Navan last season and went on to be placed at Grade 2 level over this trip. Fourth in a valuable handicap at the Listowel festival, he'll be suited by a return to this distance and is on a nice racing weight. Firm Footings knuckled down well to beat a higher-rated rival in at Sligo and has been given a 5lb hike. He didn't see out this trip when sixth in the Martin Pipe but may be a stronger model now. Ballybawn Belter has won three times in handicap company this year and had plenty to spare when scoring over a longer trip at Ballinrobe. She's up 9lb for that and the ground will be more testing on this occasion which is not sure to suit.
Prediction : 1st Thecompanysergeant 2nd Firm Footings 3rd Ballybawn Belter

DINOBLUE is best in at the weights and well suited by this trip. Late mistakes contributed to a defeat when favourite in the Grand Annual but the six-year-old made amends in valuable handicaps at Fairyhouse and Punchestown afterwards. Successful first time out in her two previous campaigns, she can pick up where she left off last term. Dual Cheltenham festival winner Sir Gerhard was runner-up at Grade 1 level at Fairyhouse in April which was by far his best effort in his novice chase campaign. He looked far from a natural over fences in his other outings, though, and this trip is short of his best. Fil Dor made a winning start in this discipline at Navan a year ago but was switched back to hurdles after a couple of disappointing runs at Leopardstown. If he gets his jumping together, he has the ability to contend.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Sir Gerhard 3rd Fil Dor

CORBETTS CROSS went up through the ranks over hurdles last term and landed a Grade 2 contest at this venue in February. Favourite for the Albert Bartlett the following month, he was in contention when running out at the last. The six-year-old is a winning point-to-pointer and is an exciting prospect as a novice chaser. Grangeclare West also has a point-to-point win to his name and impressed a couple of times over hurdles last season, including on his return from a long absence at Navan. Trip and ground will suit and he's another notable chase debutant. Heart Wood, a very useful juvenile hurdler in France, was runner-up on chase debut in a hot contest at Navan almost exactly a year ago. Not seen since then, his record when fresh is encouraging and it will be interesting to see how he fares trying this distance for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Corbetts Cross 2nd Grangeclare West 3rd Heart Wood

SHAVING is the choice of Patrick Mullins and the daughter of Spanish Moon would be a topical winner after her high-profile half-brother Allaho made a winning return to action earlier in the week. The five-year-old is also a sister to Shanning who won over 1m2f in France before scoring three times over hurdles for the Mullins yard. Stablemate Fleur Au Fusil merits respect as a half-sister to smart hurdles Grand Sancy and useful bumper and hurdles winner Keskonrisk. Oliver McKiernan has done well with the family of Hollies Choice who cost 50,000 euros at the Derby Sale and any market support would be noteworthy. Eastside had a couple of these rivals behind when fourth on debut at Punchestown last month and looks best of those with experience.
Prediction : 1st Shaving 2nd Fleur Au Fusil 3rd Hollies Choice