Hi all,
I thought my poor run was going to continue but thankfully the day was saved by Clondaw Castle who showed he stayed 3m well when winning the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at an early priced advised 10/1.
The best race this side of the Irish Sea on Sunday is Fontwell’s Grade 2 Loch Lomond Whiskies National Spirit Hurdle (3:10). Just six go to post with McFabulous heading the market at a shade of odds on. The drying ground will suit and the 7-year-old who will take some beating here.
Over the Irish Sea at Naas there’s a decent card. The two best races are the two first on the eight-race card. In the Grade 3 WhatOddsPaddy? Chase (2:00), Cilaos Emery must give 9lb to the improving Daly Tiger. The most interesting race at Naas is the 2m 4 ½ f novices’ handicap chase (2:30). It’s only attracted seven runners which given the prize money on offer to the winner is a little disappointing. That said despite the small field it’s still a competitive race. There are also two big field handicap hurdles later in the card.
Naas
2:30 – Paddy Power “From The Horse’s Mouth” Podcast Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m 4 ½ f
Just the seven are set to go post but its an interesting race nonetheless.
School Boy Hours has yet to win any of his six starts over fences but seems likely to head the betting. Although he’s yet to win over the larger obstacles he did run Latest Exhibition to two lengths on his seasonal return and last time ran subsequent Grade 3 winner Eklat De Rire to 3 ½ lengths at Punchestown 82-days ago. That latter run came over an extended 3m 1f and he takes a big drop in trip.
Enjoy D’allen has improved to win his last two starts at Fairyhouse & Thurles. He’s been raised 9lb but I don’t think we have seen the best of this 7-year-old just yet. He goes very well on heavy ground and can go close.
Defi Bleu makes his handicap chase debut after three starts in beginners’ races. He looked a non-stayer over 3m at Navan last time so the drop back in distance should suit and the first-time tongue tie has been added today.
Fully Charged, hails from the very much inform Henry De Bromhead yard. The 7-year-old is 0-4 since going over fences but he put in a career best effort on RPR’s when 2nd of 14 over C&D on his handicap chase debut. He’s been nudged up 4lb for that effort but looks capable of winning off his new mark.
Ministerofsport has yet to win after 14 starts over fences but he’s run plenty of good races and a plenty of stinkers too. His two best RPR’s have come here at Naas and he was also 5th in last years race. As a 10-year-old, he’s clearly vulnerable to younger, improving rivals but he’s well handicapped if on a going day.
Verdict: An intriguing race despite the small field. School Boy Hours will surely win over fences sooner rather than later and looks interesting on his handicap chase debut. Enjoy D’allen comes into the race looking for the hat trick and could be capable of better. Fully Charged brings solid C&D form into the race and comes from an inform yard.
1pt win – Fully Charged – 13/2 @ Coral
5:00 – Paddy’s Rewards Club Handicap Hurdle – 1m 7 ½ f
Aarons Day won this race last season off 13lb lower. He was left at the start back over C&D on his return to action last month. Given what happened at the start of the race he did remarkably well to finish 2nd of 17. The handicapper has raised him 4lb but that shouldn’t stop 7-year-old, if he’s in the same form here.
The favourite does face some interesting rivals. Non more so than Light Brigade. The 5-year-old won on his third attempt over hurdles when winning a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle last month. Long odds on that day. It looked like he would go onto win comfortably when leading at the last but he idled on the run in and held on by a ½ length. Handicap debut here and capable of better and is likely to be one of Charles Byrnes last runners before starting his six-month ban.
Bythesametoken’s form figures in 2m handicap hurdles on soft/soft to heavy ground are 1414. He finished fourth in this last year, 2 ½ lengths behind Aarons Day and gets a 5lb pull here. A winner at Tipperary in October, off 7lb lower, before finishing 4th of 18 at Navan 19-days later. Has been off for 112-days so fitness must be taken on trust but he’s got each way claims if fully tuned up.
Wolfofallstreets was in good form last winter winning three of his four starts in handicap hurdles between November & March, including over C&D. Has struggled this season but finished just a length behind Bythesametoken in the Navan race. Has run poorly on two subsequent starts over fences and hopes are pinned on the first time cheekpieces having the desired effect on the 7-year-old.
Verdict: Aarons Day was unlucky last time and could be well handicapped. Hard to say whether Light Brigade is well treated for his handicap debut but he’s lightly raced and open to more improvement. Bythesametoken and Wolfofallstreets are closely matched on their running at Navan back in November and have each way claims.
1pt each way – Bythesametoken – 20/1 @ Coral (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John