Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Monday including Naas fancy

---

Naas, 14:17 - Back Likedbymike @ [SP]

In Naas' opener, Likedbymike could prove tough to beat under Joey Sheridan. She's a likeable filly who has been hugely progressive this year, running well on multiple occasions in Stakes company including when beaten half-a-length by Kendall Roy in a Cork Listed contest, and when a close second to subsequent Group One Royal Ascot winner Mission Central at Naas.

In this 6f race, the four-year-old filly should be able to make her presence felt and is more than capable of posing a threat in her 21st start.

Although much of her best form is over the minimum distance, she has shown she can be competitive over this distance too, and this could be a feasible opportunity for her to return to the winners' enclosure and land a first win since her debut campaign.

---

Naas, 14:47 - Back Flaming Rib E/W @ [SP]

Seven-year-old gelding Flaming Rib failed to give his true running over course-and-distance last month, but is now 4lb lower rated in a first-time visor and could return to form. He's winless since a Doha success in early 2023, but has put in competitive efforts since, including when fourth at Dundalk last autumn.

Having once been rated as high as 113, the son of Ribchester has shown great class during his career and, although he may not be quite at the level he was, he still retains some ability and could be able to mount a challenge in this handicap under Shane Foley.

---

Naas, 14:47 - Back Red Evolution E/W @ [SP]

In a first-time tongue-tie, Red Evolution is one to note for Michael O'Callaghan and the in-form Dylan Browne McMonagle from a rating of 83. He's currently 5lb below his last winning mark and could be dangerous at the weights having dropped 6lb from his opening Turf run of the year at the Curragh.

The three-time winner shaped with great promise as a juvenile, finishing only half-a-length third to Henri Matisse on debut in a maiden. He got off the mark at Dundalk the following year, before adding two wins to his record in handicaps last season and, although he hasn't quite fired so far this summer, a resurgence is possible and he could be worth keeping the faith in.

---

Cork, 15:00 - Back Gino Bella @ [SP]

Course-and-distance winner Gino Bella recorded a convincing success here under 5lb claiming Alan O'Sullivan when last seen, and a 7lb rise may not be enough to deter her progression. She's still relatively lightly raced in only her 14th career start and has been running consistently well so far this year bar a pulled up effort at Kilbeggan in the spring. 

The six-year-old mare is unexposed from this rating and has winning course form in her favour. She's currently in good form and there's plenty to like about her chances for Patrick Foley.

---

Naas, 15:47 - Back Darkdeserthighway E/W @ [SP]

Darkdeserthighway could go well for Michael O'Callaghan in this competitive 7f handicap. She's 6lb lower rated than her latest all-weather win, and could fare better than her latest run in a Killarney claimer now back in a handicap.

The eight-year-old mare may have needed the outing on reappearance at Bellewstown in her penultimate start, and, having had a couple of recent runs last month, could be able to put in a competitive effort in this contest under Jamie Powell from a workable mark.

---

Ripon, 15:54 - Back Rousing Encore @ [SP]

Likeable gelding Rousing Encore is only 1lb higher than his last winning mark when successful at Ayr last autumn, and could bounce back from a disappointing effort at York now dropping in class. He's usually a generally consistent performer but wasn't on a going day when last seen. 

Capable of much better than in his most recent run, the six-year-old gelding should give a better account of himself here under James Sullivan, representing Ruth Carr, and could pose a threat in his 51st career start. He has plenty of experience in his favour and is effective over this distance, currently on a workable mark from which he can strike.

---

Naas, 16:47 - Back Livenka @ [SP]

In the valuable juvenile contest, the Ballyhane Stakes over 6f, Ger Lyons-trained Livenka makes appeal under Colin Keane in her fourth career start. She finished third to Victorious, who has significantly franked the form, in a Naas maiden on debut earlier in the campaign, before matching that finishing position at the Curragh and shedding her maiden tag at Fairyhouse.

In her latest effort when getting off the mark, the daughter of Bated Breath beat subsequent nine-length winner Star Of State, who holds a Group Two entry, in maiden that featured now 115-rated Classic winner Precise, as well as Dancing Saxon and Pivotal Attack, last year.

There could be plenty of further improvement to come from this exciting Juddmonte filly, and she is one to note in this competitive race.

---

Naas, 16:47 - Back Star Prospect E/W @ [SP]

Star Prospect is another juvenile to consider in the penultimate contest, representing an in-form yard for Joseph O'Brien. He beat Carry The Flag on debut before managing only third in his subsequent start over 5f here, then lined up in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot where he failed to make an impression.

The son of Starman returned to some form at Cork when last seen, but he's capable of better and could show further progression. The best could be yet to come from the €135,000 purchase, who has shown promise but has so far failed to build on a successful debut. He could be worth keeping onside under Dylan Browne McMonagle and warrants consideration.

---

Windsor, 18:00 - Back Fast Steps @ [SP]

Course winner Fast Steps has plenty of experience at the track and could bounce back from a disappointing effort here when last seen having previously achieved form figures of 332 prior to his latest run this season. He was only just denied at Ffos Las in his penultimate start from a 1lb lower mark. If able to replicate that performance, he should be capable of putting in a bold bid under Patrick Millman.

For in-form trainer Rod Millman, the eight-year-old gelding holds solid claims if on a going day, having been able to be competitive from a much higher mark last year, including when third from a rating of 77 over this course-and-distance. He makes appeal at the weights and could record a fifth career win in his 50th start.

---

Now read more horse racing columns here

---