Hi all,
A couple of poor days to overcome. I’m just hoping that Sunday’s jumps meetings at Naas and Catterick survive early morning inspections. Mind you given my present form maybe it will be better on the betting bank if the racing doesn’t take place.
The highlights of an eight-race card at Naas are to Grade 3 contests, including what could be a good novice chase (3:15). It’s Naas that offers the chance of clawing back the last two days losses.
Naas
1:15 – Beacon Edge is the one to beat in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle. The 7-year-old comes into the race with the best recent form. He was beaten less than a length into third by Honeysuckle in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse 63-days ago. Drops back to 2m here but remains progressive.
Coeur Sublime was travelling like the most likely winner and looked set to cause a big shock when hitting the front at the last on the Grade 1 Morgana Hurdle at Punchestown on his seasonal return and first start since joining his present yard. He couldn’t back up that promise when last of seven in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. A winner of a Grade 2 last season means he must give weight all round but he gets the first-time hood and has a decent chance if reproducing his best form in the headgear.
1pt win – Coeur Sublime – 7/1 @ Bet365
2:45 – Majurca had useful form over hurdles/fences when trained in France but didn’t perform particularly well on either start for Joseph O’Brien a couple of seasons ago. The 7-year-old has since switched to Aidan Anthony Howard and interestingly remains in the ownership of J P McManus. Has a 735-day absence to overcome but feasibly handicapped if the stable switch has had the desired effect. It will be interesting to see if the money come sin for him.
1pt each way – Majurca – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:15 – Eight go to post for this Grade 3 novice chase and it could be an informative contest.
Pencilfulloflead who beat Thyestes winner Coko Beach on his chase debut before beating Latest Exhibition in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. The 7-year-old ran just as well in defeat when beaten ½ length by Colreevy in a Grade 1 at Limerick on Boxing Day. Could be open to more improvement over 3m + but does have to give weight away to some promising novices.
Eklat De Rire jumped well for a novice when making a winning debut over fences over today’s trip at Punchestown last month. No problem with heavy ground or distance and he’s open to any amount of improvement.
Noel Meade has saddled the winner of this race five times in the past 12 years. He runs Eurobot who won at the second time of asking over fences when successful in Thurles beginners’ chase two starts back. Thrown in the deep end on his next start in the 3m Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but unseated his rider at the 11th. Today’s more testing ground will suit and the further the 7-year-old goes the better he’s likely to be.
Verdict: Pencilfulloflead will be a very good novice of he can give weight to some unexposed rivals here. Eklat De Rire looks an exciting novice chase prospect and looks capable of plenty of improvement on just second start over the larger obstacles. Eurobot has solid each way claims on today’s more testing ground but does need to jump better than he did last time.
1pt each way – Eurobot – 12/1 @ Bet365 (paying 3 places 1/5 0dds)
3:45 – Fourteen go to post for this novices’ handicap chase and you can give half of the field a decent shout.
Notice To Close made it 2-3 over fences when landing a Clonmel novices’ handicap chase (heavy) two starts back. The 7-year-old continued his excellent form when taking advantage of a lower mark when winning over hurdles at Limerick 34-days ago. Hiked up 9lb for his last chase success but is going the right way.
Stormy Judge is another making his handicap chase debut. He finished third to Notice To Close on his chase debut and is 9lb better off with that one here. The second Enjoy D’allen has also gone onto win twice over fences since. A good second in a Limerick novice chase (heavy) last month. The return to 2m 4f should be in his favour and he looks on a workable mark.
Punitive won two handicap hurdles last season on testing ground. Down the field in two starts in beginners’/ novice company over fences but looks more interesting on his handicap chase debut.
Fag An Bealach won a C&D novices handicap chase on her third start over the larger obstacles and its worth forgiving her latest run over hurdles. Up 6lb for her C&D success demands more improvement from the mare but she could be capable of it.
Ilikedwayurthinkin won a couple of handicap hurdles last season. Not at the level of his handicap hurdle form on his three starts over the larger obstacles but looks more interesting in handicap company. The type to land a nice handicap pot over fences off his present mark but maybe not in a stamina slog in the mud.
Moscowsowhat is an improved horse for going over fences. A winner of a Tramore beginners’’ chase in December. He was a solid 2nd of 9 in handicap chase company at Fairyhouse, Now 3lb higher but the 8-year-old remains capable of a bit better.
Verdict: Notice To Close looks a worthy market leader but at the prices I just prefer Fag An Bealach and Stormy Judge. Ilikedwayurthinkin is interesting on his handicap chase debut off his mark but maybe want’s less testing ground than likely here .
1pt win – Fag An Bealach – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Stormy Judge – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John