UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

The 84-rated LUNIGIANA hasn't been out of the first three in all four races to date. She has been beaten by some very smart sorts and her third place in a Listed contest at the Curragh last month sets the standard. Vanderbilt House was an expensive purchase and has finished fifth in both outings in hot maidens at Leopardstown, so a better finish could be forthcoming. Her trainer, Johnny Murtagh, won this race last year. Showspinner was runner-up in a barrier trial at Leopardstown and is related to a couple of winners. Misappropriation, Miracle Beauty and Never Not Lucky are newcomers to keep an eye on in the market.
Prediction : 1st Lunigiana 2nd Vanderbilt House 3rd Showspinner

CURRAWOOD showed up well in third on debut at the Curragh and clearly caught a tartar when beaten into second at the same track in July. The horses that he split that day have both since delivered in Group 3 company, so the form is very strong. Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Mississippi River ticks plenty of boxes on paper. He made 850,000 guineas at Tattersalls Sales and has a couple of Group 1 entries. Furthermore, he is half-brother to a couple of Listed winners. Saracen cost a pretty penny and is in good hands for his racecourse debut, while Manhattan Chute has a mark of 88 which more than entitles him to be pitching for prize money.
Prediction : 1st Currawood 2nd Mississippi River 3rd Saracen

TOMMY MCJOHN has to give weight away, but could be up to the job. This Mehmas gelding has accrued a mark of 77 primarily down to a couple of runner-up berths in Naas and Down Royal. He wasn't at his best when unplaced in Cork and now gets first-time blinkers. Billie Be Quick has enough form in the book to advertise her chance off a mark of 68, while Weegeebear hasn't quite been getting home so this drop in trip could aid his cause. Arizona Beauty kept on for third over an extended 5f at Navan and has claims even if this shorter trip may not be ideal.
Prediction : 1st Tommy McJohn 2nd Billie Be Quick 3rd Weegeebear

WILLIAM F BROWNE's runner-up finish at Roscommon last month gives him a leading chance in this claiming maiden. There was also merit in his sixth place on debut in a Leopardstown maiden. Mighty Day also posted a second place on his latest outing when beaten less than a length in a claiming maiden at Navan. He is a likely contender for a cheque. Shocker's second at Tipperary and fourth in Bellewstown are the pick of his results and those efforts bring him into contention, while Noel Meade takes the wraps off Antoine De Paris who is worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st William F Browne 2nd Mighty Day 3rd Shocker

BUCK BARROW was well beaten behind some smart performers in maidens and should benefit from stepping up to a mile. Out of a winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Dick Whittington, the selection is a half-brother to four winners and while he was outpaced on his nursery debut at Down Royal recently, finished his race really well and should progress in first-time cheekpieces. Now, a half-sister to Rip Van Winkle, has shown some promise in each of three maidens and should compete from 66, under a 5lb claimer, although it is notable Gavin Ryan stays loyal to the selection. Edergole's Angel has good nursery form but while she finished over three lengths ahead of Now at Leopardstown, is 7lb worse off.
Prediction : 1st Buck Barrow 2nd Now 3rd Edergoles Angel

ROWDY YEATS is drawn wide and has a 185-day layoff to overcome, but he showed notable form on debut and it is encouraging Colin Keane rides him over race-fit stablemate Ben Hur. He contested the season's opener on heavy ground in March when giving the subsequently Group 1-placed winner a race, while the well-held third and fifth both won afterwards. He is worryingly absent since but drops to an auction maiden and, positively, hasn't as yet been gelded. Cercene finished strongly at Gowran and while that form isn't massively strong, should progress, although she is drawn wide and concedes 1lb to the selection. Temperance received 8lb when beaten by a smart previous winner at Cork, but also concedes 1lb to the selection.
Prediction : 1st Rowdy Yeats 2nd Cercene 3rd Temperance

Frankel colt GALVESTON cost a whopping two million guineas as a yearling and Ryan Moore is a positive booking in a race confined to newcomers. His maiden-winning dam is a sibling to two Group 1 winners and another Group 2 victor and while she has yet to produce a racehorse of note from three runners, the selection has encouraging entries in the Royal Lodge, Beresford Stakes and Futurity Trophy. Stablemate Serious Contender has a Futurity entry and is out of a winning sister to English Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher. Edge Of Seventeen, a half-sister to Group 1-winning stablemate Albigna, and Washington Street, a 300,000-euro May breeze-up purchase, have no other entries but could be smart.
Prediction : 1st Galveston 2nd Edge Of Seventeen 3rd Serious Contender