Lucky 15 Tips: Big guns are primed to fire at Naas

For Friday's Lucky 15 tips we're taking a trip across the Irish Sea to Naas, one of Ireland's premier racetracks, situated approximately 18 miles from Dublin. Their seven-race card kicks in at 12:43, and there's Grade 1 action at 13:43 with the Ballymore Novice Hurdle.

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are flexing their muscles in the above contest in particular and it's hard not to think about you-know-where, in March, at a meeting like this where clues are almost certain to be found.

I believe there's a precautionary inspection @ 07:30am - fingers and toes crossed for that.

Horse Racing Odds

12:43 - Barley Lane @ 9/4

The opener is a 2m maiden hurdle and I'm siding with a five-year-old Sholokhov gelding out of a Flemensfirth mare - Barley Lane. The selection is trained at the Curragh by Eddie and Patrick Harty, and has run twice thus far.

Debut spin in a bumper at Punchestown in April (ordinary midfield effort after being slightly hampered late on), was then put away, and on seasonal reappearance gave a clear indication of ability by finishing a one-length second of 24 at the same venue, on hurdling debut, over nearly 2m 4f.

The winner Santo Sospir has since struck again, easily, and holds a G1 entry at Leopardstown at the end of the month. Barley Lane was unconsidered in the market that day at 18/1, but that certainly won't be the case on Friday.

Kieren Buckley was on board last time and retains the partnership. Mullins and Elliott rivals will provide stern opposition but I think this could well be a smart one. Excellent Racing Post rating last time, and connections will surely be very hopeful.

Cracking heat.

13:43 - Classical Creek @ 4/1

So to the Ballymore, and a tremendous hurdle that's produced winners of the calibre of Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger in the recent past.

Gordon Elliott is expected to saddle three and it's his Classical Creek that I'm most interested in. The six-year-old Walk In The Park gelding is among the possibles for both the Turners and the Albert Bartlett Cheltenham-wise at this point, and looks to be progressing very nicely indeed.

Point win on debut, April '24; bumper success followed seven months later ; third then in Listed company in the same discipline the following month; and finally a first run over timber when last seen 53 days ago at Navan, securing a very cosy 8l victory at this 2m 4f trip.

This is a stiff test but he looks up to the task. Jack Kennedy rides in the famous Gigginstown House Stud silks and it's 100% a race to savour, record, and dissect afterwards.

14:43 - Kurasso Blue @ 5/4

There's a pattern emerging, as I'm relying on another Elliott-trained talent in this 3m 1f novice chase.

Kurasso Blue is a five-year-old Masked Marvel gelding who has three wins from his six spins under rules thus far. The last two have been over fences; a close second of 11 at Thurles in late-November, then when last seen at Punchestown 29 days ago a comfortable success in a beginners' contest at this trip.

He's going the right way and could have any amount of improvement to come. Sports the famous Robcour colours (Teahupoo et al) that have been so hugely successful down the years.

15:45 - McLaurey @ 11/4

Another potential humdinger to close, and a selection trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by Mark Walsh.

McLaurey runs in the fabled JP McManus green and gold hoops, hence Mark Walsh on top, but the owner is also due to be represented by Win Some Lose Some and Park That.

The selection has two wins from eight starts, and has had two runs over fences. The trip of 2m should be fine but the horse ran in his point over 3m and has also tackled as far as 2m 6f (on his chasing debut in fact, in November).

Last seen at Fairyhouse 27 days ago at this 2m trip, and was a never-nearer third beaten 7.5l under Donagh Meyler. He certainly needs to improve in my book to take this but that's entirely possible.

Excellent way to bring the curtain down on what's a spectacular day's racing.

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Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.