UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

FUNICULI FUNICULA was a smart sort over hurdles and riding arrangements suggest he's preferred of Willie Mullins' three runners. The easy winner of a Clonmel maiden on soft ground, he was subsequently campaigned at Grade 1 level and was only beaten just over a length behind Honesty Policy at Aintree. Stablemates King Alexander and Magic McColgan also showed a good level of form over hurdles, while Prends Garde A Toi made a bright start over fences when second to Will The Wise at Galway but needs to bounce back after disappointing in a Grade 2 at Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Funiculi Funicula 2nd King Alexander 3rd Prends Garde A Toi

BALLINABOOLA JET returned to action earlier this year after only one appearance in November 2022 and showed promise over hurdles, including when third at Wexford before opening his account on testing ground at Clonmel earlier this month. The Dick Donohoe-trained gelding now makes his debut over fences off a lowly mark and, if putting in a clear round, may prove difficult to beat. Baltinglass Hill has won three times over hurdles and has also been placed on his latest two outings over fences, but ground conditions are a concern. Heavy going is also a worry for Quinn The Eskimo, who made a promising start over fences at Thurles, while Lady Rose Hackett is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Ballinaboola Jet 2nd Baltinglass Hill 3rd Quinn The Eskimo

I'M ALL IN has been let down by his jumping on both starts but looked booked for second behind the odds-on Minella Academy when unseating rider at the last at Cork last month. Hopefully the son of Kodi Bear can put in a clear round, and he gets the vote over Ritz Plan, who has shown promise in both outings in similar events including when second to the impressive Highland Crystal at Punchestown with Ann Bulkley over 13 lengths behind in fourth and Little Bonnie sixth. O'Grady Cracker, Kilbarry Alexy and Rosarian are three newcomers to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Im All In 2nd Ritz Plan 3rd Ann Bulkley

OPEN SECRET was rated in the 70s on the Flat and won over 1m6f at Redcar last year for Charlie Johnston. The Cracksman gelding switched to hurdles since joining Gordon Elliott this autumn and held every chance when stumbling after the last at Wexford last time. Larzac was just denied on his only French start and was highly tried in two outings this spring including when finishing in mid-division behind Lulamba at Punchestown, while Willie Mullins is also represented by Lincoln Du Seuil, who won a 1m4f French bumper and has been absent since a run over hurdles at Limerick last Christmas. Bergamasquo, Susie Lenglen and Nirisque are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Open Secret 2nd Larzac 3rd Bergamasquo

Given the form of Gordon Elliott's stable, it wouldn't be surprising to see LINCALL improve enough to get off the mark on his third start. This Doctor Dino gelding was considered good enough to start his career in the valuable Goffs Defender Bumper at the Punchestown Festival in April. He didn't trouble the judge, but there was merit gleaned from a fifth place in a big field on hurdling debut at Clonmel at the start of the month. Take Stock's fifth on racecourse debut over flights at Punchestown brings him into the equation. He wasn't at his best when mid-division on his next start at Fairyhouse, but should be a factor in this company. Blazing Duke is another eyeing a cheque.
Prediction : 1st Lincall 2nd Take Stock 3rd Blazing Duke

BAMBINO FEVER will be a prohibitive price, but is very hard to get away from. Last season couldn't have gone any better for her as she landed the Grade 2 mares' bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival before Grade One victories were accrued at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. She is an exciting recruit to the hurdling ranks and holds a Grade 1 novice hurdle entry at Leopardstown over Christmas. Oldschool Outlaw is a good horse in her own right and was a decisive winner of a Listed mares' bumper at Navan last month. She isn't one to underestimate ahead of her jumping bow. There is likely more to come from Bambino Fever's stablemate Kimi De Mai this season.
Prediction : 1st Bambino Fever 2nd Oldschool Outlaw 3rd Kimi De Mai

MONEY HEIST has claims on his first start for Gary McGill. He was formerly with Gavin Cromwell for whom he finished second in a handicap hurdle over 2m4f at this track in April. He has winning form over this trip and enjoys cut in the ground. Sheriffhill has been placed in his last two handicap hurdles, runs off a light weight, and gets a first-time tongue-strap. Tsavo Park was backed ahead of his racecourse debut over further at Thurles, but finished adrift of the leaders in third. If he takes to this trip and deeper ground, he can have a say. Titanium hasn't much jumping experience but has a chance, while Marelly and Club Manager aren't out of contention.
Prediction : 1st Money Heist 2nd Sheriffhill 3rd Tsavo Park

SPRINGS STEEN finished well to be a close third on debut in a Navan bumper and, with that experience banked, ought to improve from the run. He is a nicely-bred sort who is a half-brother to a double Grade 2 winner over fences. Think It Through is a full-sister to a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner and should be given a market check. She was an easy winner of a point-to-point in February last year and has switched to Emmet Mullins for her racecourse career. Burning Ability was caught in the closing stages when runner-up at Galway, but encounters much slower ground now. Lennon Grove and Of Land And Sea are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Springs Steen 2nd Think It Through 3rd Burning Ability