Horse racing tips: Naas, Huntingdon and Sedgefield – Friday January 12

Jump racing dominates Friday’s schedule across the UK and Ireland, with four National Hunt cards in the afternoon before a double-bill of all-weather Flat fixtures in the evening.

Naas (12.42-3.47pm), Wincanton (1.00-4.05), Sedgefield (1.07-3.42) and Huntingdon (1.20-3.55) provide the afternoon meetings, before the Friday night lights are turned on at Dundalk (3.37-7.15) and Wolverhampton (5.00-8.30).

Among our Friday fancies is one in the big race of the day, the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas.

Horse racing tips today – Naas, Huntingdon and Sedgefield

Jake Aldrich’s picks for Friday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.

• Nap: Firefox (Naas, 1.42) @ SP with BetMGM
• Next best: Kartoon And Co (Huntingdon, 2.50) @ SP with BetMGM
• Other: Coniston Clouds (Sedgefield, 1.37)  @ SP with BetMGM

Odds are correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.

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Horse racing tips: Naas 1.42

Sunday’s loss is Friday’s gain as the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, lost amid a shroud of fog five days ago, emerges from the gloom to take place this afternoon. Hats off to all concerned with the hasty rearrangement and it’s fair to say they have been rewarded with a decent renewal.

Willie Mullins saddles four of the seven and looks to hold a leading claim with Tony Bloom’s Ile Atlantique. The six-year-old created a good impression when making a winning hurdles debut at Gowran Park in November and looks well worth his place at this level.

However, on his final bumper start of last season he came off second best to the reopposing FIREFOX and Gordon Elliott’s gelding is taken to come out on top again. 

The son of Walk In The Park took a notable scalp on his debut over hurdles, jumping well before brushing aside the highly touted Ballyburn in a hot-looking maiden at Fairyhouse last month.

That looks at least as good as some of the graded form on offer and this fine-looker looks sure to relish going up in trip this afternoon.

It’s a warm race, as it should be, but Elliott’s charge is on a roll and is taken to continue his progression this afternoon. Indeed, it might take some performance to lower his colours this season.  

Selection: Firefox @ SP with BetMGM

Horse racing tips: Huntingdon 2.50

Paul Nicholls fields French import Kabral Du Mathan in the Class 2 Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle over two miles. Despite an overly confident ride, he snatched a last-gasp victory at Clairefontaine in July, but there have subsequently been mixed messages from those just behind him.

The third has improved, going on to win at Listed level, but the second hasn’t done much to uphold the form and it should be noted Nicholls’ charge tended to go left at his obstacles, a trait that won’t help him if it’s repeated here.

He also has an 8lb penalty to overcome and in the circumstances it can pay to side with the Skelton’s KARTOON AND CO. The son of Balko made an ideal start to his career, comfortably winning a Junior “National Hunt” hurdle at Stratford in October, before being sent to Market Rasen in December, where he couldn’t quite contain a promising horse of Harry Derham’s under a penalty.

That performance still had plenty of merit and it was eye-catching how well this sizable and scopey sort hurdled, gaining many lengths at his obstacles.

He looks highly likely to carry on progressing, is unpenalised and, with his jumping a huge weapon in this company, he can give the favourite too much to handle. 

Selection: Kartoon And Co @ SP with BetMGM

Horse Racing Tips: Sedgefield 1.37

Nicky Richard’s CONISTON CLOUDS has taken a while to go chasing but it has seemingly been worth the wait, the eight-year-old looking a natural when making a winning debut over fences at Catterick in November.

In a big field of 14, the grey travelled and jumped well just off the pace. He then made good headway to join issue two out before another good jump at the last took him into the lead.  

One of the most pleasing aspects of his performance came on the run-in, with the son of Cloudings looking better the further he went as he pulled clear for a comfortable success.

The extra 2f in today’s contest look tailor-made for the improving gelding and he’s a confident selection to take before he rightly has his sights raised again. 

Selection: Coniston Clouds @ SP with BetMGM

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