UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

SLADE STEEL ought to step forward from his runner-up spot on chasing debut at Navan. Last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner was expected to make a winning transition to the bigger obstacles, but he was outgunned by a worthy opponent. There is improvement to come in his jumping and it may come here as he has enjoyed racing in Naas before. Lecky Watson kept very good company over flights and was only half a length behind Slade Steel in second in a Grade 2 at Navan last year, so has to be respected on his first crack at fences. Staffordshire Knot couldn't a blow on an easy winner in Fairyhouse, but there should be races to be won with him.
Prediction : 1st Slade Steel 2nd Lecky Watson 3rd Staffordshire Knot

RIGHTFOLKSPLEASE has strong credentials for this race as, when last seen in this sphere, he was just pipped by a short head in a higher grade at Sligo in October. This drying ground will suit him well. Irish Impulse has struck form with a vengeance and has a shot at the hat-trick. He began his winning run over a further trip in a handicap chase at Clonmel and followed up in a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m at Tipperary. Turbo will enjoy a return to this distance, while Ernie From Nurney's third over further in Wexford wasn't without merit. Due Course is unexposed over fences and, given the form of his stable, market support would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Rightfolksplease 2nd Irish Impulse 3rd Turbo

French-recruit Karbau could be anything after winning by a wide margin on the level in his native country. He is the sole Closutton representative and the market is likely to revolve around him. An each-way chance is taken on BOWENSONFIRE who was the subject of a favourable report in a recent stable tour. He is expected to cut much more ice hurdling than he did in his sole bumper. Shuffle The Deck showed plenty of promise in third in a Punchestown maiden hurdle. Eastern Legend finished well behind Shuffle The Deck in fourth, but then finished a close second at Navan to strengthen the form. Henry de Bromhead introduces two point-to-point recruits in Quantum Quest and Pookie Holler who cannot be ruled out.
Prediction : 1st Bowensonfire 2nd Karbau 3rd Shuffle The Deck

There isn't a lot of depth to this race and perhaps HEARTS AND SPADES can take advantage of that. He has one notable run in the book when fourth behind a more than useful horse in a Navan maiden hurdle. His rating of 105 entitles him to be heavily involved. Colonel Nelson is one to consider after banking fourth places on hurdle debut at Punchestown and in a bumper at Clonmel. Solsbury Hill ran a fair race in seventh over a shorter trip at this racecourse last month and he can improve upon that. There is likely more to come from Hills Of Glory, while Interchangeable could get in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Hearts And Spades 2nd Colonel Nelson 3rd Solsbury Hill

KAROLINE BANBOU is a fascinating runner on her first outing for Willie Mullins. The No Risk At All filly was a Grade 3 bumper winner in her native France and was last seen finishing second in Grade 1 company at Fontainebleau in November of last year. She could be a very smart addition to the Closutton team. Mullins has a strong hand as he also saddles Listed bumper winner Baby Kate. The daughter of Augusta Kate disappointed at Aintree and is better than that showing. Qualimita was turned over at a short price on her hurdling debut at Navan last month and needs to improve on that run.
Prediction : 1st Karoline Banbou 2nd Baby Kate 3rd Qualimita

O'FAOLAINS GLORY ran well in a competitive contest at Navan and a similar effort may be enough to get her on the scoresheet again. The Fame And Glory mare showed marked improvement on previous efforts when third to Love Me and, off just 2lb higher, looks to be on a rating that she can win off. She scored off this mark over fences at Downpatrick in May. Backfromtheraces ran well on her handicap debut when chasing home Inchiquin Star at Wexford in late October and could be a danger. Bishbashbosh is unexposed and might be one to note on her first outing for Ross O'Sullivan.
Prediction : 1st OFaolains Glory 2nd Backfromtheraces 3rd Bishbashbosh

Willie Mullins has a terrific strike-rate in bumpers and it would be no surprise if KARA DE THAIX made a winning start here. The Jeu St Eloi filly cost 26,000 euro as a store and is a half-sister to three winners in France, including a horse who was Grade 2-placed over fences. Romany Brown has a couple of nice runs under his belt and commands respect. He just lost out by a head over hurdles at Clonmel last month. Another track newcomer to note is point-to-point winner Scope To Improve. The Telescope gelding makes his first start for Henry de Bromhead having been an easy winner between the flags on his debut at Necarne in May.
Prediction : 1st Kara De Thaix 2nd Romany Brown 3rd Scope To Improve