UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

SLIP OF THE TONGUE was beaten long distances when last seen in April but remains a dark horse who should eventually outgrow his rating. Placed third to Teahupoo and Quilixios in a 2021 Grade 2 hurdle, he looked a work in progress last season, is suited by conditions and his rider claims 5lb. He wasn't beaten far in a 2022 Listed course hurdle by today's rival Highland Charge but is 7lb better off. Highland Charge debuts in handicap chases and while rated 8lb higher over hurdles, would ideally prefer a sounder surface. Gracchus De Balme's Listowel form was boosted by Uncle Phil winning the recent Dan Moore but he steps up in distance and hasn't run since September. In-form Kings Halo steps up markedly in grade while Spirit Of Legend contested a hot race last month and drops to handicap company racing from a fair rating. Coqolino was pulled up in testing conditions at Limerick during Christmas but had previously run well at Punchestown, although seems exposed. Cayd Boy is winless from nine chases and was well beaten recently.
Prediction : 1st Slip Of The Tongue 2nd Highland Charge 3rd Gracchus De Balme

NDAAWI was highly-tried on the flat when trained in England and run consistently well in two hurdles. Rated 96 last year, he ran well at Leopardstown over Christmas (Evening's Empire finished ninth) and chased home a pair of previous winners at Fairyhouse recently. He seems to cope fine with testing conditions. Base Money showed big improvement on hurdles debut at Limerick and while the selection is a capable opponent, he finished that Christmas race nicely and might reverse form with second-placed Mr Lincoln. Katakana won two French bumpers and finished second in another last year and while closely matched on her initial two runs with Irish maiden hurdle winner Kaleoson, won more easily on her third start. She is a keen-goer who retains a hood although her tongue-tie is left off today. Dutch Gold's flat form is closely matched with Mr Lincoln while Charming Star was also capable, if quirky, on the flat and is best watched.
Prediction : 1st Ndaawi 2nd Base Money 3rd Mr Lincoln

ZARAK THE BRAVE was worryingly pulled up at halfway last October but encouragingly reappears following a small break and, on his day, the Galway Hurdle winner is a clear pick and is suited by conditions. Reported 'clinically abnormal' post-race at Tipperary, such summaries are cryptic by nature while today's race is run in honour of 32-years-young Limestone Lad, who was 'knocked' for a heart murmur as a youngster. Banntown Girl is a dependable handicapper who finished 7.25 lengths behind Jetara in a Listed hurdle in December, although should find an on-song selection too strong. 2021 Cheltenham festival winner Telmesomethinggirl reverted to hurdles for her recent reappearance but finished 11.5 lengths behind Jetara, when receiving 3lb, although can progress. Golden Joy, an Auteuil debut winner last April, was well held at Grade 3 level last month and needs to show more. Doyen Ta Win faces a tough task.
Prediction : 1st Zarak The Brave 2nd Banntown Girl 3rd Telmesomethinggirl

LETSBECLEARABOUTIT concedes 6lb but has smart recent form and is dependable. Twice placed fourth at Grade 1 level over hurdler, he finished third in the Drinmore Chase last month and might improve stepping up to this distance for the first time over fences. Embassy Gardens was impressive in winning on chase debut last month and while a fancy for the Cheltenham festival, today's race is stronger than at Punchestown. He could be high-class but nonetheless his top-level hurdling form was disappointing and has, in the past, raced too keenly. Meetingofthewaters is suited by conditions and while he is progressive, steps up in grade having won the Paddy Power Chase rated 130. Desertmore House was 32 lengths behind in the Paddy Power and while 15lb better off, would prefer better ground. Sandor Clegane's chase career has yet to ignite but is fitted with a tongue-tie, stays well and likes testing ground. Cool Survivor was beaten 23 lengths by Embassy Gardens last month.
Prediction : 1st Letsbeclearaboutit 2nd Embassy Gardens 3rd Meetingofthewaters

ICARE DESBOIS beat better-fancied stablemate Lecky Watson in a Fairyhouse bumper and was absent for 19 months before disappointing when switched to hurdles here in November. He was coughing post-race and is much better judged on a subsequent third to King Of Kingsfield in a hot maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. The runner-up, Mirazur West, won easily at Fairyhouse on Wednesday. Butcher Hollow and Cleatus Poolaw have filled second spot behind useful sorts on both hurdle starts and rate obvious threats, while Nas Na Riogh also bids to go one better after beating all bar the selection's stable companion Dancing City over 2m4f at Navan.
Prediction : 1st Icare Desbois 2nd Butcher Hollow 3rd Nas Na Riogh

American Money had PRIDE OF PLACE less than two lengths back in third when gaining a second career win over a similar trip here earlier this month. The Michael Hourigan-trained gelding wasn't helped by a mistake at the last and, on 6lb better terms, is fancied to reverse the places. The form of that race has been working out well since and the selection has scope for further improvement. Heliko Conti enters calculation on his second to Music Of Tara in a 21-runner 2m4f Leopardstown handicap last month and Conor Stone-Walsh claims a valuable 5lb. Big Debates reverts to hurdles on a competitive mark while Millstream Lady has won twice this season and again went close at Limerick last time.
Prediction : 1st Pride Of Place 2nd Heliko Conti 3rd American Money

JASMIN DE VAUX won a Loughanmore point-to-point in fine style last spring for Stuart Crawford and the half-brother to two winners has since joined the champion trainer, while Big Stage is another to consider from a top yard after also winning his only start between the flags. The son of Walk In The Park was purchased for 120,000 pounds soon after making all to win at Tinahely in November and the market will provide significant clues as to their relative merits. Master Otis has shown promise both in bumpers and over hurdles while point-to-point winner Glendaars Fortune made a bright start under Rules when third to Lady Bluebird over this trip at Punchestown. Remember'hesmine had Freemans Bay behind when runner-up at Limerick last month.
Prediction : 1st Jasmin De Vaux 2nd Big Stage 3rd Glendaars Fortune