UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

HARBOUR GEM was placed twice in testing conditions last October and can make a winning start here for new trainer Dermot Weld. The Zoffany filly chased home a smart-looking sort in the Weld-trained Azada when last seen at Leopardstown and a similar effort may be enough to open her account now. Obviously, the Ballydoyle newcomer Fleetingly deserves respect. The Justify filly is out of top race-mare Alice Springs and is a half-sister to Group-placed filly Prettiest. Mo Ghille Mar and Wendla are others with placed form as juveniles who have to be considered.
Prediction : 1st Harbour Gem 2nd Fleetingly 3rd Wendla

PORTLAND sets a good standard here off his official mark of 108. The Dubawi colt was last seen finishing third in Group 1 company in Saint-Cloud and handles this type of ground, having won a Galway nursery in heavy. Purple Lily looks like the sort who could improve at three and she may be the danger. Paddy Twomey's charge got up late on to win a Galway maiden last August and that form has worked out well since. Chicago Critic won his maiden in testing conditions over C&D in mid-October and is another with the potential to improve.
Prediction : 1st Portland 2nd Purple Lily 3rd Chicago Critic

KNIGHT TO KING ran with credit in a couple of stakes races following an impressive maiden win last season and there may be more to come from the Kingman colt this year. He was far from disgraced in soft ground in Group 2 company on just his second career outing in France last July and finished the campaign when fourth to Layfayette in the Royal Whip at the Curragh. Any improvement on those efforts would probably be enough to claim this. It's interesting that Aidan O'Brien starts Queenstown off in Listed company, despite a rating of just 82. The Galileo gelding improved with racing last season and could improve again from three to four. Serious Challenge already has a run under his belt, finishing seventh in the Irish Lincoln on Monday, and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Knight To King 2nd Queenstown 3rd Serious Challenge

Aidan O'Brien won this last year with Paddington and MILITARY could prove a class act in this renewal. The Siyouni colt was well touted before making a winning debut here in September and ran with credit in a couple of stakes races subsequently. He was third in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown on his final start in heavy ground. Take Me To Church comes here fit from the all-weather and was placed in testing conditions here last October. He could be a danger. My Mate Alfie ran well in a couple of valuable sales races towards the end of last season and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Military 2nd Take Me To Church 3rd My Mate Alfie

DUKE OF LEGGAGH may be worth a shot here on his return to action. The grey ran a big race on this card last season when chasing home Paddington in the Madrid Handicap and went on to win by a wide margin in Navan subsequently. He had more on his plate after that but has slipped back to a nice mark and catching him early in the season again may be the best time. Zephron was a wide-margin winner on this kind of ground at the Curragh in November. He got a 15lb hike for that but has to be respected. Solar Breeze was narrowly edged out on her last outing at Dundalk in late January. She's another interesting one here on her first outing for new trainer Daniel McLoughlin.
Prediction : 1st Duke Of Leggagh 2nd Zephron 3rd Solar Breeze

DARK VIPER ran well first time up this season when chasing home a well-handicapped rival in Merisi Diamond at the Curragh on Monday. He remains on the same mark and if this doesn't come too soon, the Dark Angel gelding has to have a big shout. Arizona Desert makes her first start for Adrian Murray and could go well with Wayne Hassett taking off 7lb. The Sioux Nation filly won a nursery last year in Leicester but hasn't faced ground this testing yet. Apollo Prince ran too freely in blinkers when last seen in a Galway nursery and did well in the circumstances to finish fourth. He's another who has to be considered.
Prediction : 1st Dark Viper 2nd Arizona Desert 3rd Apollo Prince

MANHATTAN DANDY had a pipe opener at Dundalk recently and could be a decent price here on ground he handles well. The Dandy Man gelding won twice over seven furlongs last season, including in very testing conditions at Bellewstown. Master Garvey has a good run under his belt already this year and has to be a leading contender. He was third to Merisi Diamond at the Curragh six days ago. Atbay ran a decent race when fourth on his return from an absence at Dundalk and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Manhattan Dandy 2nd Master Garvey 3rd Atbay