Naas afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, July 6

A double-helping of Irish racing on Saturday with Bellewstown going over jumps in the evening and Naas on the Flat in the afternoon.

We're focused on the Co Kildare venue, where their seven-race card runs from 14:10-17:40 with conditions forecast to be 'good-good to firm in places on straight course'.

Enda McElhinney is marking the card for Planet Sport readers ahead of the action from Naas.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

Naas selections in full:

14:10 (Naas) Tempest Star

14:45 (Naas)  Red Evolution

15:20 (Naas)  Posh Maisie

15:55 (Naas)  Staysound Susie

16:30 (Naas)  Swagman

17:05 (Naas)  Chicago Fireball

17:40 (Naas)  Dancing Steve

 

14:10 (Naas) Tempest Star

The standard bearer in this opening maiden is Flash The Cash for Jessica Harrington and she should go close, while Aidan O'Brien's Sweet Chariot is a once-raced Wootton Bassett filly with scope for better.

Ger Lyons' team are flying – boasting a near 35 per-cent strike-rate of late – and his Starspangledbanner newcomer Tempest Star might be worth siding with on debut. The yard's youngsters are doing well this term.

 

14:45 (Naas) Red Evolution

Michael O'Callaghan's Red Evolution was a close third behind subsequent Group 2 winner Henri Matisse on debut at the Curragh in May and was then inched out by Ballydoyle newcomer Celtic Chieftain at Navan over 5f soon after.

A return to 6f is no concern for the Mehmas colt and, with Colin Keane on board once more, they can get on the scoreboard. Listowel winner Elzem is the danger.

 

15:20 (Naas) Posh Maisie

The Lily & Wild Amazing Apprentice Handicap could be a decent spot for Johnny Murtagh's Posh Maisie to show improved form.

The Dandy Man filly ran some promising races in a trio of Dundalk appearances at the start of the year over 6f/7f but was immediately stepped up in distance for her turf bow at Leopardstown last month.

She's been well held in both turf runs but the assessor has quickly cut her some slack and she's down 7lb in the ratings now.

A pair of first-time cheekpieces are added and the drop to 6f looks a positive with her rider taking a useful 7lb off.

 

15:55 (Naas) Staysound Susie

A more aggressive ride helped Staysound Susie get on the scoresheet in a maiden at Tipperary five weeks ago and the Andy Slattery-trained US Navy Flag filly might have more to come now.

She has regularly done her running on softer ground, including that maiden win, but has handled decent conditions too. Now that she has found the breakthrough, she might make some progress.

National Lady and Magical Vision are major dangers.

 

16:30 (Naas) Swagman

Dermot Weld's newcomer Truth Be Told commands a close look but preference is for Aidan O'Brien's Swagman.

The Wootton Bassett colt was third in a Curragh maiden (7f, good) last month on debut behind a couple of rivals with the benefit of experience.

As is typical of Ballydoyle youngsters, that experience shouldn't be lost on him. Jack Cleary can also aid his claims by taking off 7lb in the saddle.

 

17:05 (Naas) Chicago Fireball

Democracy perhaps had excuses when only third at Fairyhouse last time but it was a good opening and, with only three rivals, he managed to find trouble.

He'll have to go some to deny the hat-trick claims of Chicago Fireball for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen now. His wins at Gowran and Leopardstown were over a mile, forcing the pace in front, and a slight drop in trip at this stiff track shouldn't inconvenience him.

 

17:40 (Naas) Dancing Steve

Dancing Steve is a lightly-raced Highland Reel gelding and his latest run at Down Royal (1m2½f, good) was a clear personal-best on his fifth outing.

The handicapper dropped him 7lb from an opening mark of 67 and he goes here from just 1lb higher after that pleasing effort up in the north.

After being held up, he was doing his best work late on and that is promising ahead of a first visit to Naas for trainer Ado McGuinness.