UK Horse Racing Tips: Naas

SARATOGA has been placed on both outings over hurdles and didn't enjoy the clearest of passages when a promising third over C&D last month. On that evidence, he gets the vote. Highland Crystal is an obvious threat having scored in fine style on both hurdle starts, including a Listed race at Newbury, while Kilmeaden provided Donnacha O'Brien with his first jumps winner at Punchestown last month.
Prediction : 1st Saratoga 2nd Highland Crystal 3rd Kilmeaden

GREY JUDE has progressed steadily this season and appears to have been found a decent opportunity of adding to his maiden hurdle victory if handling these testing conditions. Dunleer Crystal showed much-improved form when runner-up on better ground at Down Royal's Christmas meeting and the third, Champagne Jury, has won since. Raise You Up is proven on heavy ground having won a Limerick maiden last time.
Prediction : 1st Grey Jude 2nd Dunleer Crystal 3rd Raise You Up

JALON D'OUDAIRIES was a smart bumper performer winning twice before placing in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding has filled the runner-up spot twice when switched to hurdles after a lengthy absence and could go one better here. Poetisa was bought for 300,000 pounds after winning a Cheltenham bumper last spring, but didn't impress with her jumping when reappearing at Punchestown last month and may be better suited by this left-handed track. Healys Pub caught the eye on hurdles debut here last month and is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Jalon Doudairies 2nd Poetisa 3rd Healys Pub

MOUDAN is a progressive sort and looks on a nice mark here back over timber. The Mount Nelson gelding is now rated 122 over fences after a game effort to take a rated novice contest over fences at Limerick, over Christmas. He is 8lb lower over hurdles and this looks like a nice opportunity to make use of that difference. Half A Chance ran a solid race when third to cosy winner Kotkito Bello at Thurles back in December. Off just a pound higher now he has to be respected. Fairyland Opera has been well held over fences recently but could be given a chance on her old hurdles form off this mark.
Prediction : 1st Moudan 2nd Half A Chance 3rd Fairyland Opera

TODO BIEN was an expensive purchase as a store last year, costing 175,000 euro at the 'Derby Sale', and may be able to make a winning start now for Gordon Elliott. The Walk In The Park gelding is a half-brother to a couple of smart sorts in Shoda and Milan Tino. Apache Peak looks the pick of those with form. He has been second on both starts, most recently chasing home the impressive Quiryn here last month. Coole Cafe finished back in seventh that day, which was slightly disappointing as she had won an academy hurdle previously.
Prediction : 1st Todo Bien 2nd Apache Peak 3rd Coole Cafe

DINOBLUE looks set to be a short price to repeat last year's success in this Listed contest. Willie Mullins' charge, winner of the Mares Chase at Cheltenham last term, is the one to beat in this division and it would be a surprise if she was turned over. She did have to survive a last fence scare when scoring at Fairyhouse last time but should collect again with a clear round. Bioluminescence is the danger on official ratings but she needs to improve on her last showing in handicap company at Aintree. Break My Soul was outclassed in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas but should be able to get closer now.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Bioluminescence 3rd Break My Soul

HUNTERS YARN may be worth siding with here. The Fame And Glory gelding was a smart sort for Willie Mullins and has won three from four for Pat Doyle since going point-to-pointing this season. His only blip was at Dromahane in late December when third to Wrappedupinmay, a horse that he had previously beaten with ease. He is fancied to turn the tables now with Ryehill, who was just in front of him at Dromahane. Panda Boy looks like the obvious one to beat after an impressive performance in his first hunters chase at Thurles last month. He beat another Doyle-trained horse in Lifetime Ambition that day.
Prediction : 1st Hunters Yarn 2nd Panda Boy 3rd Ryehill