UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

OLYMPIC MAN should be suited by a step up in trip on his return here. The Martaline gelding was placed in two outings at Galway early in the season and his jumping let him down a touch on the second of those when he went to post a very short price. He won over nearly two miles on the Flat in France so this kind of trip should help. St Cuthbert's Cave can be forgiven his last run when he returned lame. The point-to-point winner had shaped with promise when third on his track debut behind a smart sort in An Tobar at Fairyhouse and, on that run, he'd be a big player. Musta Lovea Lovea has plenty of solid placed form and could reach the frame again.
Prediction : 1st Olympic Man 2nd St Cuthberts Cave 3rd Musta Lovea Lovea

This looks like a nice stepping stone for MIRAZUR WEST. The full-brother to Ferny Hollow is well regarded by Willie Mullins and remains fairly unexposed after just three outings for the champion trainer. He was turned over by a smart horse in King Of Kingsfield on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas before getting off the mark with the minimum of fuss at Fairyhouse the following month. He looks like a work in progress and it's no surprise to see him kept at home for the time being. Group 1 Flat winner Helvic Dream got off the mark over timber at Navan last time and is learning on the job over hurdles. He could step up again. Fun Fun Fun, stablemate of the selection, showed plenty of ability in bumpers and is two from three over hurdles. She is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Mirazur West 2nd Helvic Dream 3rd Fun Fun Fun

VERBAL SPARRING bumped into a well-handicapped rival in Whiskeywealth here last time and a similar effort may see him get his head in front now. The Vocalised gelding stayed on well then without troubling the cosy winner, who was exploiting a much lower mark over hurdles. Ricky Bobby has been knocking on the door recently and having been eased 1lb for his most recent effort, when fourth at Punchestown in January, he has to be a leading contender. Crecora Hills has hinted at ability in maiden hurdles and she could be one to note in the market on her handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Verbal Sparring 2nd Ricky Bobby 3rd Crecora Hills

THE BIG CLOUD has been well backed on her last couple of outings and may be able to get the job done now. The Cloudings mare was left with plenty to do when hampered early and stumbling at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. She found herself well back then and did well to finish third in the end, having used up plenty of petrol to get into a challenging position before the last. Cramers Valley showed significant improvement when going close here back in December. He's gone up 3lb since and a similar effort gives him a big shout. Three In A Row had a couple of nice enough runs in maiden hurdles and looks one to note on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st The Big Cloud 2nd Cramers Valley 3rd Three In A Row

RAGLAN ROAD has been running in some strong maiden hurdles and looks on a fair mark now tried in handicap company. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding showed early promise last season and hasn't been disgraced in a few runs this year. There looks scope for more improvement from the six-year-old. Mark Walsh partners Any Second Now for the same owner, JP McManus, and he tops the weights. The 2022 Grand National runner-up is nicely treated over hurdles at his best but needs to step up on recent efforts. Fortunedefortunata was mid-division in a competitive contest over two miles at Leopardstown last month. He should appreciate going further now and it wouldn't be a surprise if he got closer this time.
Prediction : 1st Raglan Road 2nd Fortunedefortunata 3rd Any Second Now

TACTICAL MOVE looks hard to oppose here. The Stowaway gelding was good when beating Saint Felicien at Gowran Park last time and that form has been boosted since, with the runner-up going on to record a cosy success back at the same venue. Flanking Maneuver looks the one likely to give him most to do. He comes here on the back of a solid effort to finish third to Blood Destiny in Grade 3 company at Navan eight days ago. The mare Jumping Jet should pick up some black type.
Prediction : 1st Tactical Move 2nd Flanking Maneuver 3rd Jumping Jet

HARTUR D'ARC is unproven at this trip but has a handy weight and may be worth a shot. The Diamond Boy gelding won well on his first outing for Gavin Cromwell at Clonmel last month and that looked like a significant step forward from his previous chase outing as he turned around form with Joshua Webb in decisive fashion. He won a point-to-point and handles testing conditions well so this trip may actually bring improvement. Stablemate Velvet Elvis won an eventful four-runner contest at Fairyhouse last time and this looks a tougher test. Minella Cocooner could be a big player on his handicap debut. He has been keeping good company in novices and was third to American Mike in a Navan Grade 2 last month. Last year's winner Espanito Bello ran a solid race in Grade 3 company behind Ferny Hollow over an inadequate two miles here last time and is another who has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Hartur Darc 2nd Minella Cocooner 3rd Espanito Bello

FEMME MAGNIFIQUE may be able to bounce back here after a disappointing show at Leopardstown. The Champs Elysees mare had looked a nice sort when winning on her track debut at Thurles in December, but was too keen when stepped up into Grade 2 company last time. She is capable of better. Ma Belle Etoile had a couple of solid placed efforts before getting off the mark in good style at Limerick back in November. She could be a danger. The other winner in the field, Familiar Dreams, has a bit to find with Ma Belle Etoile on their running behind Switch From Diesel at Tipperary in early October.
Prediction : 1st Femme Magnifique 2nd Ma Belle Etoile 3rd Familiar Dreams