UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

LARK IN THE MORNIN has shaped nicely in a few maiden hurdles this season and may be able to step up here. The Soldier Hollow gelding chased home the impressive Mighty Bandit first time up, before meeting trouble in running when sixth at Leopardstown. Last time, he kept on nicely when third to a smart sort in Highwind at Punchestown and may have got closer but for a mistake at the last. With no penalties to carry, he gets a nice pull of half a stone from the filly Nara. She won a Listed hurdle in her native France and, as a result, has to give weight to the field. The daughter of Jeu St Eloi shaped nicely on her Irish debut when fourth in a strong Grade 3 contest at Fairyhouse and should improve from that. She may turn the tables now with the third-placed Eagle Fang.
Prediction : 1st Lark In The Mornin 2nd Nara 3rd Eagle Fang

Paul Townend is back in action here aboard CAPTAIN CODY, having had a few days off, and can return on a winner. The Arctic Cosmos gelding, sixth in last season's Cheltenham Champion Bumper, made an impressive start over timber at Gowran on Thyestes day and could be a smart staying prospect. Stablemate Blizzard Of Oz also commands respect. He's also by the former St Leger winner and won on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in mid-December. He finished second to the selection in a Limerick bumper last year and may play second fiddle again. Answer To Kayf sets the standard off a mark of 134 and also has to be on the shortlist. He comes into this on the back of a good run to finish third in a Grade 2 contest at Limerick over Christmas.
Prediction : 1st Captain Cody 2nd Blizzard Of Oz 3rd Answer To Kayf

UNION STATION shaped nicely on his debut here last month and can step forward now. The Leading Light gelding was third to easy winner Tullyhill over two miles in a stronger looking contest and, with the run under his belt and stepping up in trip, he looks the one to beat. Musta Lovea Lovea sets the standard off a mark of 111, but is rather exposed and is tried in cheekpieces now. Glen Kiln ran well to chase home Spread Boss Ted at Fairyhouse last time and could prove a bigger danger. Gold In The Rivers, a well-beaten fifth on debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Union Station 2nd Glen Kiln 3rd Gold In The Rivers

Not much strong recent form to go on here and WHISKEYWEALTH may prove the answer, switching back to timber. The Yeats gelding takes a drop in class having contested the valuable Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse last time and he looks on a nice mark over hurdles. He had been running a big race when falling in front two from home at Thurles in a handicap hurdle previously and is capable of scoring off his current rating. Verbal Sparring was well beaten over further at Punchestown last time and may appreciate dropping back to the minimum trip. He had run well previously over two miles at the Kildare venue when chasing home Billy Lee Swagger. Star Official has been knocking on the door and looks like another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Whiskeywealth 2nd Verbal Sparring 3rd Star Official

RIVIERE D'ETEL can confirm recent form with Allegorie De Vassy over this shorter trip. The Martaline mare was impressive at Fairyhouse last time when skipping clear from the second-last for a very easy success over 2m5f. She is equally effective at the minimum trip and had run a solid race to chase home Captain Guinness at Navan previously. Paul Townend sides with Allegorie De Vassy again and she is a classy mare on her day. She wasn't at her best last time, but has to be respected on the pick of her form. She had been a good winner at Clonmel in November, when she had stablemate Instit and last year's Grand Annual winner Maskada in behind.
Prediction : 1st Riviere Detel 2nd Allegorie De Vassy 3rd Maskada

Billaway has won this for the last four years but tends to be better for a run and may be best watched on his belated return. The vote goes to ITS ON THE LINE, who comes here having won a strong contest at Down Royal last time. The Presenting gelding got home by half a length from Ferns Lock on St Stephen's Day and that form is very strong, with the runner-up posting an impressive win at Thurles since. Battleoverdoyen is an interesting recruit to this division. He won an Open in Tyrella late last month and with that confidence-boosting success under his belt, he could be a force in this.
Prediction : 1st Its On The Line 2nd Battleoverdoyen 3rd Billaway

Not much form to go on here and BUCKAWAY FREDDIE gets the token vote. Gordon Elliott's Flemensfirth newcomer is a half-brother to Slate House, a Grade 1 winner over fences as a novice a few years ago. The Pat Doyle-trained Kap De Triomphe is another interesting newcomer. The French import is out of a half-sister to a decent sort in Charmix. Rose Boum is the only one in the field with experience and she may improve from her initial effort, having finished sixth to Shuttle Diplomacy here last month.
Prediction : 1st Buckaway Freddie 2nd Kap De Triomphe 3rd Rose Boum