Today's Racing Tips: A trio at Naas and one at Ayr from Betfair racing trader Frank Hickey

13:50, Naas - Back Blooming Sally @ 11/26.50

3 (10)

Blooming Sally (Ire)

• J: Andrew Joseph Slattery
• T: A. Slattery, Ireland
• F: 2

• SBK 11/2
• EXC 1.11

A potentially informative maiden, with Ballydoyle represented by both Be In Love and Ophelia, while Paddy Twomey runs the well-bred Pirate Anne Bonny. Luca Brilliante probably sets the standard on what has been achieved on the track, having finished a close second on her nursery debut at the Curragh off a mark of 78.

While you can make a case for all four, there may be a bit of value in siding with Blooming Sally. Her pedigree wouldn't necessarily catch the eye and her sales price was modest, but she certainly caught the eye on debut at Cork over five furlongs.

Backed at big prices in the early-morning market, she was ridden off the pace in a race dominated by those racing towards the front. However, she fairly rattled home in the closing stages and gave the 8/11 favourite, Hanney Boy, a real scare. It is fair to say that, given another stride, Blooming Sally would probably have got up.

That form has worked out quite well. The third, Walk On Harry, won his next start at Cork; the fourth, Best Love, won two starts later at Navan; the fifth, Capital Of Pride, finished second of 15 at Naas; while the seventh, Roeillaun, subsequently won at Navan after being touched off at the Curragh when a 50/1 shot.

Blooming Sally shaped at Cork as though the step up to six furlongs would suit, and she should be better for the experience. With that debut form working out so well, she looks capable of taking another step forward here and **could be the value play in what looks a competitive maiden.**

14:22 Naas - Back Salt Lake @ 4/61.67

12 (2)

Salt Lake (Ire)

• J: D. W. O'Connor
• T: Robson De Aguiar, Ireland
• F: 2

• SBK 4/6
• EXC 1.71

Salt Lake ran a race full of promise when just touched off late by Monogram on his debut over seven furlongs at the Curragh last month. Monogram certainly hasn't let the form down, finishing second to the wide-margin winner Folsom Blues in the Group 1 National Stakes, while the third home that day, Noble Exhibit, was an impressive winner at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Salt Lake showed plenty of early pace on debut and looked to have the strong favourite, Monogram, in serious trouble when kicking clear at the furlong pole. He was only caught in the closing stages, and the manner of that performance suggests that dropping back to six furlongs here could actually be a positive.

That view is certainly supported by his pedigree. He is a half-brother to West Acre, a Group 2 winner over five furlongs, and Lady Iman, a Group 3 winner over the same trip. Add in the fact that Salt Lake is by Persian Force, and there is every chance that sprint trips will ultimately prove his optimum.

If that proves to be the case, he may not need to improve at all to win this. A reproduction of his debut form could well be enough for Salt Lake to break his maiden, and with the potential for further improvement over this shorter trip, he looks a strong contender.

15:00, Ayr - Back Altareq each-way @ 15/28.50

7 (4)

Altareq

• J: Paul Mulrennan
• T: Jim Goldie
• F: 33031000

• SBK 6/1
• EXC 7.8

Altareq has certainly caught the eye on more than one occasion this season since joining Jim Goldie from the Gosdens, and there are plenty of reasons to believe he can improve his record at Ayr.

On his stable debut for Goldie, he was a huge eyecatcher at York over 10 furlongs when finishing third behind Warrant Holder and Thunder Run. He also caught the eye on both of his starts over a mile, at Hamilton and, even more notably, at Carlisle, where he was ridden cold over a trip which is probably short of his optimum.

What really stands out, however, is his record at Ayr. His only previous appearance at the track resulted in a win over this exact 10-furlong trip, and that victory came off a mark of 83. He races from just 2lb higher here, which looks very workable given the impression he has made in his subsequent starts.

It is also significant that Paul Mulrennan returns to the saddle. Mulrennan rode Altareq to victory at Ayr but has not partnered him in his three starts since. He takes over from Lauren Young here, and his return to the saddle looks another positive.

The ground at Ayr is currently good to soft, with rain forecast for Thursday morning. Although Altareq is unraced on ground slower than good to soft, there is plenty of encouragement in his pedigree that he could actually appreciate some cut. He is by Frankel out of Aneen, a mare by Lawman, whose progeny tend to relish softer ground. Aneen is also a half-sister to Awtaad, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, who was well suited by cut in the ground.

There is also an interesting bigger-picture angle to Altareq. After his Ayr victory, Jim Goldie suggested that the Cambridgeshire could be a suitable target for him. He currently sits 61st on the list for that race, but a 4lb penalty for winning this would move him up to around 47th and would make it very likely that he gets into the field.

With his previous Ayr form, the return of Mulrennan, a potentially favourable mark and the prospect of conditions which could suit, Altareq looks to have plenty going for him and he is very much the one I want to be with here.

15:22, Naas - Back Lily Bear each way @ 10/111.00

6 (5)

Lily Bear (Ire)

• J: C. T. Keane
• T: M. C. Grassick, Ireland
• F: 700

• SBK 7/1
• EXC 1.11

It may be worth taking a chance on Lily Bear on her nursery debut. While a glance at her form figures would suggest she has shown limited ability, she has contested three fair maidens. The latter two were won by Sea Of Rain, a subsequent Group 3 winner, and Livenka, who went on to win the Ballyhane Stakes.

There are two things in particular that caught my attention about Lily Bear. Firstly, she was sent off at just 7/24.50 for her debut at Leopardstown but became very upset in the stalls after the horse next to her started acting up. That may be worth forgiving when assessing her bare form.

Secondly, she finished second in a barrier trial at Naas back in May. She travelled notably well that day and looked like she was much the best, with her jockey allowing her to race on the bridle and asking very little of her. The winner, Cashel Queen, has subsequently won a Roscommon maiden and is now rated 80.

Lily Bear runs here off an opening mark of just 59, which could potentially prove to be very lenient if she can reproduce anything close to the ability she showed in that trial. The booking of Colin Keane is another obvious positive and certainly increases the interest.

She needs to improve on what she has shown in public, but there are enough clues to suggest that she could be considerably better than her opening mark, and Lily Bear looks an interesting value play on her nursery debut.

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