UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

SIMPLY ASTOUNDING indeed has a breathtaking pedigree, being by Wootton Bassett and out of top racemare Minding, and debuts at a nice time of year for Royal Ascot hopefuls. Her trainer has won this race three times since 2018 - when the high-class Fairyland scored - and while the selection will ultimately graduate to longer distances, Minding won her maiden at this distance prior to winning seven Group 1 races. Spring Is Here cost 225,000 euros and is a sister to Group 3-winning sprinter Castle Star, who went close in the Middle Park. Sunday River is out of a winning dam, but debuts in blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Simply Astounding 2nd Spring Is Here 3rd Sunday River

PICKERSGILL won a maiden last month and should compete on her handicap debut. She progressed late well last year and scored on soft ground at the Curragh, with the form reasonably strong as the runner-up subsequently finished second to a capable type at Gowran. Sarahmae readily won an ordinary 5f Tipperary handicap on Thursday and although she can progress, she carries a 7lb penalty. Dmaniac has useful recent soft-ground form and debuts in handicaps, while Unique Journey also likes give underfoot and wasn't beaten far here last month.
Prediction : 1st Pickersgill 2nd Sarahmae 3rd Dmaniac

NOBLE NATION won doing handstands over C&D and can defy the handicapper's 15lb rise to go in again. A speedily-bred half-brother to Listed winner Primo Uomo, he initially tried middle-distances but has found his niche in sprints. He remains unexposed and although 1lb out of the handicap, his rider claims 5lb. Cuban Grey is in excellent heart and likes soft ground, but all his best form is over 5f. The in-form Collective Power is ground-versatile but competes from a career-high mark, while the veteran Laugh A Minute is 5lb higher than when winning at the Curragh.
Prediction : 1st Noble Nation 2nd Cuban Grey 3rd Collective Power

BIG GOSSEY has 6lb to find on ratings with My Mate Alfie, but is better suited by conditions and comes here in top form. They met four times last year, with Big Gossey only coming out best when getting weight from My Mate Alfie in a premier handicap at the Curragh in July, but he is better suited to soft ground and has proven pace for this distance. My Mate Alfie is himself a smart Group 3 winner, but his best form is on a faster surface. Notably, he also competes at 5f for the first time. Two Stars receives 3lb from the aforementioned pair and while he steps out of handicap company, he loves testing ground and this trip.
Prediction : 1st Big Gossey 2nd My Mate Alfie 3rd Two Stars

SUBSONIC made a pleasing debut when beating all bar the odds-on Minnie Hauk over a mile at Leopardstown last autumn, with Kalixa nearly four lengths behind in fifth. She hails from a yard in decent form and should appreciate this step up in trip. Guarded also showed promise on debut at Leopardstown last October, but struggled when reappearing on heavy ground here last month. Thilos made a bright start at Galway last back end and is another for the shortlist, with riding arrangements suggesting she's preferred to Onaqui. Juniper Sling is from a family that Ger Lyons has done well with and any market move would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Subsonic 2nd Thilos 3rd Guarded

SCOTT KEY relished cut in the ground when scoring impressively over this trip at Gowran last Wednesday and may prove difficult to beat under a 7lb penalty. The Andy Slattery-trained gelding easily drew clear in the final furlong and might have most to fear from Wizard Of Odds, who had Sir Jeremy over seven lengths behind in third, with another couple of these rivals further adrift, when runner-up in the Madrid Handicap here. Galway maiden winner Tribal Nation switches to handicap company after finishing fifth to Henri Matisse in a Leopardstown Group 3 and may prove the pick of Joseph O'Brien's four runners. Mississippi River, Bishopton and Mister Adam are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Scott Key 2nd Wizard Of Odds 3rd Tribal Nation

SHARE THE TREASURE should benefit from two outings this term and caught the eye when finishing strongly from off the pace to take fourth behind Genuine Jim over this trip at Cork. She appears quite versatile as her best run last year was over 7f on good ground at Gowran and she can improve past Cork third Higher Kingdom. Storm Eric has gained all three career wins at Dundalk and didn't enjoy the clearest of passages before coming home strongly when third to Brains in a 20-runner Leopardstown handicap last month. Are You In Or Out has only gone up 4lb for winning at Leopardstown, while Harry The Rogue is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Share The Treasure 2nd Storm Eric 3rd Higher Kingdom