Hi all,
There’s Grade 1 action at Naas on Sunday where it’s the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (2.20). In recent years the 2m 4f race has been won by the likes of Bob Olinger (2021) and Envoi Allen (2020). Who went onto win the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival. An impressive winner of this year’s renewal will be challenging Hermes Allen for favouritism in this year’s Ballymore.
Also, on the Naas Card exciting novice chaser Appreciate It will be long odds on to make it 2-2 over fences.
Apart from the Grade 1 race the rest of the Naas card looks unappealing although the two mile handicap chase (1:50) is interesting enough.
Naas
2:20 – Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m 4f)
Nine are set to line up for what looks a good race on paper. Irish Point caught close home by Marine Nationale in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (2m) last time. Up in trip here but should stay and sets a high standard of form.
Both Grangeclare West and Inothewayurthinkin are unbeaten over hurdles and open to plenty of improvement. Grangeclare West beat 22 rivals on his hurdle debut at Navan (heavy) 42-days ago is an exciting prospect and open to any amount of improvement. Inothewayurthinkin has won both starts over hurdles and is capable of better with the step up to 2m 4f set to suit the 5-year-old.
Although you can’t totally dismiss the claims of the likes of Dawn Rising and Affordable Fury. I think the race is between Irish Point, Grangeclare West and Inothewayurthinkin.
I suspect Grangeclare West will take the step up to Grade 1 company in his stride. However, Irish Point has strong form and looked slightly overpriced in the betting.
Irish Point – 1pt win – 5/2 @ Coral
1:50 – Indiana Jones didn’t stay an extended 2m 7f when 4th of 7 in a Thurles novice chase three weeks ago. He drops back to 2m for his handicap debut here and the top-weight isn’t badly treated on his best form in novice company last season including when a ¾ length runner-up to Busselton in a Punchestown novice chase last season. He was also still in contention when falling at the last in a race won by Capodanno here last December. Given the 7-year-old’s profile I wouldn’t want to take too short a price about his chance.
Kildorrery doesn’t win very often and isn’t the most consistent as he showed last time at Fairyhouse when failing to build on a promising seasonal return at Cork. He’s talented enough to win a race like this, if on a going day, but does need all the cards to fall right and that doesn’t happen often.
Shakeytry looks a more solid option. The 11-year-old looks fairly treated on his best form over fences including when a head 2nd of 12 at Thurles in November 2021 and looked to be coming back to form when a 11 ¾ length 4th of 13 at Thurles three weeks ago.
Shakeytry – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral
Kildorrery – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Bet365
I’m not expecting too much action on the selections front until Thursday but watch your inboxes for any updates.
Cheers
John