3:12 Naas Tips

Collecting Coin looks a straightforward 4yo with enough class to go close again here. He’s done little wrong in five starts and is looking in strong form for the grade, sandwiched between two excellent placed efforts at the Curragh and Killarney. That tells you he’s already proven at today’s trip and ground, and the fact he was beaten only 4 lengths in a deeper 3yo race at the Curragh last time. Sent off favourite on 86 says to me that his current mark is fair. Jessica Harrington won this race last year.

There are 2 or 3 with genuine-looking chances in this. At the prices I think there may be some value in Game Point. Not raced since last September and has tended to run over 10 furlongs. However the horse has got one good piece of form over a mile and with Naas being quite a stiff finish it may be a good piece of evidence. Still open to improvement.

I feel he's quite well treated having run to form on his return from a break at Dundalk but was lit-up by the first time blinkers and just tired late over a mile. Dropping back to 7f on heavy ground is what he needs. Given that he'll strip fitter for the recent run, 13/2 is a generous price in a 12-runner race offering 4 places.

Merisi Diamond has won 4 of his 21 starts, with his last win coming on October 24 at Roscommon off a mark of 79. He generally struggled last year off marks in the 80s but returned last week with an encouraging 6th of 12 at the Curragh on his first start for Thomas Could. He was beaten just over 3 lengths, having been dropped to a mark of 72. Off the same mark here, he looks a good each-way bet with four places on offer.

Last two runs last season were at Listed level, and this is a step down from that and more akin to her ability. Her only win came in a Gowran maiden, but there could be plenty of improvement to come after only seven runs. Holding strong in the market in a competitive event. The jockey and trainer combo is always worth a second look.

Thru And Thru was solid rather than spectacular in her four runs last year, but that Galway second showed there’s ability there. An opening mark of 77 asks for a bit more after a break, yet she’s lightly raced and the tongue strap could eke out improvement, so she’s not one to dismiss at a price.

Zaraahmando is a 4yo gelding trained by Andrew Slattery makes seasonal reapearance after a 173 day break which if course is a concern but she was progressive as a 3yo in handicap company winning three times twice over todays 7f and once over a mile on soft ground so conditions are likely to suit - if fit and well he could continue to improve as a 4yo - he is seemingly also well berthed in stall 12 with 4 or the last 5 winners of this being drawn in stall 10-12-13-13.

She fell short in her last two starts of 2025, one of which was her debut for her new yard. However, with the blinkers back on and a switch back to turf, this could lead to a significant improvement in form. It's a tough challenge, but she can certainly contend, and at 18/1 an each-way wager looks to be the value option here.

Very talented in the past, with some big wins for John Murtagh. Blues Emperor has joined the stable of William Harvey, who has an OK record of 10% winners-to-runners on the Flat. He has won races off marks of 84, 87, 89, and 90. The trip suits; the ground is more of a concern. He was poor on his first start for this yard at Dundalk but is entitled to progress from that outing.