UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

Velvet Skies comes here in winning form from Dundalk but may not want the ground to soften too much. With that in mind, WHITE CLOVER gets the nod. She won a maiden to end her last campaign and doesn't look harshly treated off 72, despite carrying top-weight. Others for the shortlist include Noble Nation, Step Back In Time and Escape Act.
Prediction : 1st White Clover 2nd Velvet Skies 3rd Noble Nation

A tricky looking contest and UNIQUE JOURNEY may be able to strike on his return. The Danny Murphy-trained gelding ran a big race in testing conditions when last seen at Galway in October, having been a touch unlucky on his previous outing at Navan. He had finished third to one of today's rivals, Gazelle D'or, on his handicap debut and is weighted to turn the tables now. Island Girl had some nice maiden form last season and is one to note for a yard that generally makes a good start to the season.
Prediction : 1st Unique Journey 2nd Gazelle Dor 3rd Island Girl

ROWDY YEATS may be able to make a winning return here. The Make Believe colt made a promising start last season when chasing home the classy Arizona Blaze at the Curragh on the first day but didn't see the track again until September, when again second to Cercene. The handicapper has given him a lofty enough mark of 91 and that sets a good standard. Iron Fist is rated 87 after three runs last year, the best of those when second to Cap Saint Martin at the Curragh. He looks like an obvious danger. Ballydoyle colt Mississippi River was placed on all three starts last season and is another one for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Rowdy Yeats 2nd Iron Fist 3rd Mississippi River

LOVE BILLY BOY just got going a touch too late at the Curragh last Sunday when finishing second to Laugh A Minute and may be able to go one better now. The Invincible Army gelding was well supported on his first start for Ger O'Leary and looks capable of striking now, stepping up a furlong. Money Dancer had a couple of good placed efforts over jumps, over the winter, and looks capable of being competitive off this mark back on the level. Dual course and distance winner Facethepuckout is on a competitive mark and could be each-way material.
Prediction : 1st Love Billy Boy 2nd Money Dancer 3rd Facethepuckout

Aidan O'Brien has won this race with some smart sorts in the past, most notably with Paddington two years ago, and SERENGETI could be another potential Group horse in a handicap. The son of Wootton Bassett improved with racing last year and was still a touch green when scoring at Dundalk in late October. There could be plenty of improvement to come from him this year. Tangapour, another son of Wootton Bassett, finished last year with a good win in testing conditions at Killarney and is another likely to progress. Temperance ran well on her return in a Dundalk maiden and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Serengeti 2nd Tangapour 3rd Temperance

DALLAS STAR has the benefit of a run under his belt and this looks like a nice early season target for him. The Cloth Of Stars colt appears to be versatile ground-wise having won the Ballysax Stakes in testing conditions last term and scoring at Dundalk recently. He is still unexposed having previously been out of action since finishing down the field in last year's Derby. Sunchart won this last year and it's no surprise to see connections target the race again. Trustyourinstinct had a good Flat campaign last year, including a Group 3 win at Leopardstown, and looks like a leading contender. He was in action in Saudi Arabia last month so also comes here fit.
Prediction : 1st Dallas Star 2nd Trustyourinstinct 3rd Sunchart

BAY COLONY had a couple of nice runs in stakes company last season and if running up to her mark of 89, she's the one to beat. The New Bay filly ran a solid race when fifth to Dreamy in a Group 3 at the Curragh on her final start last season. This softer ground is an unknown, though. Wannabe Royal has a recent run under belt at Dundalk when second to Spicy Margarita. She has a bit to find on ratings but fitness is a big plus at this time of year. The Ballydoyle filly Guarded was mid-division on her sole start last season and is the potential improver in the field.
Prediction : 1st Bay Colony 2nd Wannabe Royal 3rd Guarded

The regally-bred TRINITY COLLEGE should be able to make a winning return here. The son of Dubawi and dual Guineas winner Hermosa was runner-up in Group 3 company at Leopardstown when last seen in October and could be a classic contender if coming through this. The main danger is probably his stablemate Acapulco Bay. He's another Dubawi colt and was impressive when winning a Curragh maiden on his second outing in late August. Like the selection he holds several classic entries. One Smack Mac disappointed on his final start of last season but had shown a nice level of ability previously and may be capable of better.
Prediction : 1st Trinity College 2nd Acapulco Bay 3rd One Smack Mac