Friday Racing Tips: James Mackie fancies two from Naas at odds up to 7/4

• James Mackie fancies two from Naas on Friday

• Willie Mullins and Paul Townend can the Grade 1 Ballymore

• Kurasso Blue will prove tough to beat

13:43, Naas - Back Saint Baco @ 7/42.75

The Grade 1 Ballymore Novice Hurdle on Friday sees the first Grade 1 of the new year in Ireland and Saint Baco for Willie Mullins could be tough to beat.

The pick of Paul Townend, the five-year-old was bought from France in 2024 after two good runs, with the second seeing him finish a narrow third staying on strongly to the line.

Sent hurdling for Willie Mullins this season over two miles, he impressively saw off Lazare de Star by over three lengths, with the second since bolting up over Christmas at Leopardstown for Gordon Elliott.

He is now stepped up in trip and this should bring more improvement from the way he raced on his sole french run over timber.

Sortudo looks a tough challenger from the same yard but I think the trip will be on the sharp side for him and if Saint Baco can continue his progression he should be a shorter price than 9/110.00 for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March by tomorrow afternoon.

14:43, Naas - Back Kurasso Blue @ 5/42.25

In the Novice Chase Kurasso Blue is the short-priced favourite but has every reason to be and I would be disappointed if he does not make it two wins on the spin over fences.

Another French recruit that was sent hurdling under the tutelage of Gordon Elliott, he was a winner on his final start over flights seeing off the odds-on favourite Its Bilbo who went on to be rated 129.

Sent chasing this term, which is more his game, he bumped into Eagle's Fang at Thurles on his chase debut going down by less than a length, with the winner rated 147 over hurdles.

Improving for that first start over the bigger obstacles, he went on to land his first success over fences when seeing off the talented Ballygunner Castle for Willie Mullins.

Stepping up further in trip on Friday is likely to suit and getting weight off the entire field, he could prove tough to beat before he goes on to bigger challenges in his career.

Bossofthebrownies is a huge danger running well behind the talented Oscars Brother in a Grade 3 last time out. Oscars Brother has since been acquired by JP McManus, and Koktail Divin in second has since enhanced that form over Christmas.

However, having to give 8lbs to Kurasso Blue looks a tough task and could be the difference on the afternoon.

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