UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

MAJESTIC FORCE made a pleasing start over fences at Cork last month and may be able to go one better. The point-to-point winner was also successful in a maiden hurdle over this trip at Punchestown last season and was only headed close home when bidding to make all on her chase debut with Irish Emery 13 lengths back in third. The selection's stablemate Lantry Lady and Fun Fun Fun were both successful at Grade 3 level over hurdles last term and are interesting recruits to fences, while Karia Des Blaises made an encouraging start to her chasing career when placed behind Only By Night in a Grade 2 at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Majestic Force 2nd Karia Des Blaises 3rd Lantry Lady

ASLUKWOODHAVIT made an impressive start over fences when reappearing at Punchestown last season but was let down by his jumping in three subsequent outings. Hopefully those errors have been ironed out and it's encouraging that he's run well fresh in the past. Lazer Wolf showed the benefit of a couple of outings over fences when scoring in good style over 2m2f at Clonmel last month. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding had Kilashee and Silver King behind in third and fourth respectively and rates a greater threat than The Dara Man, who overcame a lengthy absence when making all at Kilbeggan in August but hasn't been seen again since.
Prediction : 1st Aslukwoodhavit 2nd Lazer Wolf 3rd The Dara Man

INTHEPOCKET was a smart novice over hurdles winning a Grade 1 at Aintree and made a bright start over fences on his reappearance last term. The selection was sidelined for nearly a year until making an impressive return at Wexford in October and his decisive victory over Farren Glory and Ifiwerearichman has been well advertised since. Ile Atlantique and Firefox showed a similar level of form over hurdles, and both have also scored over fences. Ile Atlantique easily made all over 2m4f at Navan, while Firefox also drops back in trip and may benefit from more forceful tactics after going close in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.
Prediction : 1st Inthepocket 2nd Firefox 3rd Ile Atlantique

JASMIN DE VAUX was a smart bumper performer last season scoring at the Cheltenham Festival and the point-to-point winner made a successful start over hurdles when drawing clear in the closing stages to take a 25-runner 2m Navan maiden. The form of that race has been working out well since and the selection should be well suited by this extra half mile. The Yellow Clay is an obvious threat having completed a hat-trick over hurdles in a Grade 2 over this trip at Navan last month, while Butch Cassidy had Shuffle The Deck just over five lengths behind when taking a 2m3f Punchestown maiden. The latter has since scored here over a similar distance.
Prediction : 1st Jasmin De Vaux 2nd The Yellow Clay 3rd Butch Cassidy

The Willie Mullins/Paul Townend combination have dominated this race in recent years and may have the answer again with JOYSTICK. The Leopardstown bumper winner only weakened on the run-in on his hurdle debut at Punchestown last month and should progress from the run. Icare D'aubrelle has been very lightly raced since impressing in a bumper on debut here nearly two years ago but did make a promising start over hurdles in a Cork maiden last month, while Big Mike was second on his only point-to-point start and subsequently bought for 95,000 pounds. Fairyland Opera showed improved form when third over C&D last time, while point winner Trasna Na Pairce is another to consider after going close in a Fairyhouse bumper.
Prediction : 1st Joystick 2nd Icare Daubrelle 3rd Fairyland Opera

GIANT HAYSTACKS showed promise on his first start for current connections when staying on into the frame in a 23-runner 2m Navan handicap and confirmed that good impression when opening his account in another competitive 2m4f handicap at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. The booking of Conor Stone-Walsh adds to confidence, and he can defy an 8lb rise. Krabat is a generally consistent sort both over hurdles and fences and was a creditable fifth behind Farmers Lodge (won again since) at Fairyhouse last time. Miss Lia won a Tramore maiden in August and was having her first run since when far from disgraced switching to handicap company at Fairyhouse last month.
Prediction : 1st Giant Haystacks 2nd Krabat 3rd Miss Lia

LIGHT UP THE DARK gets the vote in an event where the market should provide some vital clues. The Camelot filly hails from a yard in great form and the 95,000gns purchase as a yearling is a half-sister to two winners. Test The Market also represents a powerful stable and appeals on pedigree being by Cracksman out of a winning Camelot mare. Harry Kelly has won this corresponding race twice in the past decade and Through The Storm has the advantage of a previous run when fourth at Hereford last month, while the booking of Finny Maguire on Good Eye may prove significant.
Prediction : 1st Light Up The Dark 2nd Test The Market 3rd Through The Storm