Naas Racing Tips: Don't look past Dinoblue in the feature

NAP

Dinoblue - 15:25 Naas

Dinoblue shaped very well despite finding one too good in a Grade 2 mares' event at Cork in December, going with plenty of enthusiasm at the head of affairs before being overhauled late on.

She was still beaten only three lengths and the winner, Impervious, advertised the strength of that form when defying a penalty to maintain her unbeaten record over fences in a Grade 3 event at Punchestown last month.

Trained by Willie Mullins, who is seeking his sixth consecutive win in this race, Dinoblue remains with potential as a chaser and is fancied to take advantage of the weight she receives from her main form rivals to regain the winning thread.

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Byker - 13:05 Naas

Byker stepped up on the form of his hurdling debut with a comfortable success over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago, hitting the front after jumping two out and always doing enough from there to land the spoils by a length and three-quarters.

That form puts him right in the mix here on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings and it looks a good opportunity for him to follow up when you factor in his scope for more improvement after just two starts over hurdles.

Incidentally, victory here could tee Byker up for a run at Cheltenham Festival and it's worth pointing out that three of the last four winners of this race went on to land the Fred Winter at that meeting.

EACH-WAY

By Your Side - 14:50 Naas

By Your Side took a step in the right direction when finishing third on his handicap debut at Gowran Park a couple of weeks ago, travelling smoothly for a long way but struggling to find an extra gear on the heavy ground.

Beaten seven lengths at the line, he shaped like a horse who could be ahead of his mark when everything falls right and the extra emphasis on speed under these conditions might be just what he needs to take his form up another notch as he seeks a first career win.