UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

REDEMPTION DAY is indeed on a retrieval mission but the Grade 1 bumper winner drops in class. A lightly-raced eight-year-old, he came good at the Punchestown Festival last May but was well held in a hot maiden hurdle over Christmas and then weakened tamely in a Grade 1 in February. However, he could be suited by stepping up in distance and, notably, is Paul Townend's last ride before Cheltenham. Kainsbourg and Grey Pharoh are useful but would struggle against an on-song selection. Come Walk With Me runs in a first-time tongue-tie, while second reserve Good N' Kind is long absent but is capable.
Prediction : 1st Redemption Day 2nd Kainsbourg 3rd Come Walk With Me

UK runner PLEASINGTON is suited by testing ground and has useful recent form. Lightly raced, he has progressed well in recent months and while he steps up in grade, he nonetheless comfortably defeated the previously Grade 2-placed runner-up at Lingfield last month. Last year's Royal Ascot winner Belloccio scored impressively on his hurdling debut last May but was soundly beaten in the Royal Bond in December. Despite winning a French Listed Flat race on soft ground in 2020, he seems more suited by a sound surface, although he holds stablemate Gaucher on that Fairyhouse form, being 4lb better off. Goraibhmaithagat has recent form and should compete.
Prediction : 1st Pleasington 2nd Belloccio 3rd Goraibhmaithagat

SESKIN FLASH showed some form at this level last year and debuts for new connections in a winnable handicap. He is clearly no star but the winner of his December race at Cork has done well since and he seems suited by soft ground. King In Love had largely poor form in 2024 but showed improvement last month. He returned following a 157-day break in that Punchestown race and, while well enough held, might continue to progress. High Honour is capable at this level and ran well for second at Leopardstown last week, while the dependable Star Official is able in this sort of company too.
Prediction : 1st Seskin Flash 2nd King In Love 3rd High Honour

A chance is taken on BATTLE IT OUT, who is one of four JP McManus-owned runners and reverts to hurdling following a small break. Winner of his last race over timber in March 2023, he landed a Listed handicap chase here in February 2024. He needs to recapture his best form but competes from that same rating of 116 and is suited by testing conditions. Duke Of Leggagh attempts a course hat-trick, stepping up in distance, but is another 10lb higher. Mark Walsh rides unexposed handicap debutant Dont Tell Jack, who was an eyecatcher behind Kopek Des Bordes at Christmas. Uhavemeinstitches, out of an Irish National winner, returns having won at Limerick during Christmas.
Prediction : 1st Battle It Out 2nd Duke Of Leggagh 3rd Dont Tell Jack

A tricky contest but OLYMPIC MAN may be worth another shot, despite having jumped poorly on his two chase starts to date. The Martaline gelding ran a nice race, even after a couple of mistakes at the business end, when fourth to stablemate Dancing City on his chase debut in Punchestown. He then weakened here after some errors over three miles and dropping in trip might help. Mahon's Way is another who is capable of better. He was mid-division on his chase debut at Navan in December and the yard is hitting form now. Dancingondaceiling was under pressure but on the heels of the leaders when falling in Gowran and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Olympic Man 2nd Mahons Way 3rd Dancingondaceiling

TYRE KICKER ran a big race in a competitive event last week and looks on a nice weight now going back up in trip. The Network gelding stayed on well to chase home Monbeg Park at Leopardstown, having been a bit hampered at the last, and there is a nice prize in him over this kind of distance. He won over an extended 3m1f at Fairyhouse a couple of years ago. Anna McGuinness has a nice ride on Kinturk Kalanisi. Tom Gibney's charge has been running well in novice company and it was a good effort in second behind Three Card Brag at Navan last time. Espanito Bello won this two years ago and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Tyre Kicker 2nd Kinturk Kalanisi 3rd Espanito Bello

SWITCH FROM DIESEL has some very strong form in the book and looks the one to beat. The six-year-old has been runner-up in the Grade 2 mares' bumper at Leopardstown for the past two years, chasing home Bambino Fever this February. She can gain an overdue win now. Blue Velvet has a bit to find with her having finished seventh at the Dublin Racing Festival. The regally-bred Apples Jane shaped nicely on her debut at Naas and could be the danger. The Walk In The Park filly is the first foal out of star mare Apple's Jade and looks to have a nice bit of ability herself judged on her initial effort.
Prediction : 1st Switch From Diesel 2nd Apples Jane 3rd Blue Velvet