Johnny Ward's horse racing tips: Two bets for Naas on Saturday

Saturday’s card at Naas sees some faces we can expect to see at Cheltenham, most notably Elimay and Billaway, as well as one or two others who may stake a claim.

The Cheltenham Festival is closing in and, given five Dublin Racing Festival winners followed up at Prestbury Park in March last year, last weekend's fare at Leopardstown was likely most informative.

Will one of my selections below head to Cheltenham this year? If they score here, then there has to be a chance. Best of luck!

There's probably an idea that the Triumph Hurdle is a two-horse race this season. Ireland has a strong hand, and this contest has the look of a Fred Winter trial.

Five of these have already won and Brazil, who is receiving weight, looks interesting going forward.

However, Un Des Flos, who is out of a winning chaser, is a National Hunt type for his age, and the track will surely suit him.

He won his only French start by 11 lengths and was asked plenty on his Irish debut at Navan in a race where the 128-rated Banbridge edged out the very promising Au Fleuron.

Un Des Flos travelled well before getting outpaced in a muddling race and was then hampered by a faller two out. All told, it was a nice start, and he holds Ebasari on that outing.

The selection should develop into a decent sort for Gavin Cromwell.

Uncle Gerhard's win at Gowran Park on Thyestes Chase day was one of the most striking performances from a handicap hurdler all season, even off a rating of 93.

It's incredible how much ground he made from the top of the straight to the final hurdle, weaving his way through a load of runners and somehow leading shortly after the last.

He held the rally of The Toothpicker, who didn't have the same gears but, nevertheless, made him fight for his victory.

"I honestly didn't think he was really ready today," said Conor O'Dwyer afterwards, and it is encouraging that the stable remains in good form.

Uncle Gerhard went up 7lb for his Gowran win but it's hard to conclude anything other than that he's got off really lightly.

He's also unexposed and there should be plenty of pace here to suit his hold-up style.