Hi all,
We lost a decent Fontwell card due to waterlogging but there’s an even better card at Naas on Sunday.
Naas
The Grade 3 Newlands Chase (2:55) sees the return of the Willie Mullins trained Ferny Hollow. We haven’t seen the 9-year-old since he made it 2-2 over fences when winning a Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown in December 2021. Clearly not the easiest to keep sound and must defy a 791-day absence but he’s won off a 250+ day layoffs in the past so should be fit enough. The more pertinent question is: Has he retained a good proportion of his old ability? He was a best priced 4/5 on Saturday afternoon which would be a steal in this company if back to anything like his old form.
There are three handicaps on the Naas card the first of them is the Listed Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase
2:25 – Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase (Listed) – 2m 4f
Not the biggest of fields with just ten runners but it’s competitive contest and there are six on my race shortlist.
Gavin Cromwell saddled last year’s winner and he’s got two of the leading fancies here in Evies Vladimir and La Malmason. The first named has form figures of 1221 this season. He’s been hiked up 13lb for an easy win at Fairyhouse (heavy) 18 days ago. In a deeper race here but he’s is going the right way. La Malmason a winner at Cheltenham two starts back showed remains in form when a 1½ length 4th of 6 at Punchestown 20 days ago. The drop back to 2m 4f shouldn’t inconvenience the mare and she won’t be far away.
Kings Halo made it 2-5 over fences when making all to win a handicap chase over C&D last month. Has been hit by an 11lb rise for his latest success and in a deeper race but the track suits and he could well get an uncontested lead once more. Must be high on the shortlist given the likely pace scenario.
Trainer Padraig Roche who won this in 2020 saddles Slip Of The Tongue. The 7-year-old doesn’t look badly treated on the best of last season’s novice chase form. Looked in need of the run when well behind Kings Halo on his seasonal return 28 days ago. Should be sharper here and the cheekpieces go on for the first time. In the same JP McManus colours is Battle It Out. He’s been steadily progressive on four starts over fences and was a promising 7 length 4th of 10 at Fairyhouse (2m 1 ½ f) 29 days ago. Not subjected to hard race last time and today’s step up in trip should bring out more improvement in the 6-year-old (a winner over 2m 4f over hurdles). Not discounted off his light weight.
Shantreusse looked like a nicely treated handicap chaser when finishing runner-up over today’s distance at Navan on is seasonal return in December. Failed to see out 3m 1f in the Thyestes Chase last time but must be of interest back down in trip. Goes well on testing ground and not discounted.
3:25 – Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle – 1m 7 ½ f
Champagne Mahler was suited by the drop back to 2m when beating 17 rivals at Clonmel (heavy) last month. He’s been hit with an 11lb rise in the weights for his Clonmel win but has only had six starts over hurdles and could be capable of better.
Big Island was back to form when a 3 ¾ length 2nd of 16 Thurles when last seen in action 70 days ago. He’s on a competitive mark and provided the ground isn’t too testing shouldn’t be far away.
Harveys Point showed a glimpse of ability when a 17-length 7th of 14 at Navan two weeks ago. Looks the sort who should better in handicaps and could run into the places at big odds off a light weight.
Intent Approach looked to have been bought along with handicaps in mind but despite being well supported on his last two starts hasn’t looked like winning. Can’t be totally discounted for shrewd connections and dropped back to 2m.
3:55 – Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (2m 6 ½ f)
Cleatus Poolaw, trained by Gordon Elliott, got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when beating10 rivals in a maiden hurdle here (2m 2 ½ f) last month. The further they went that day the stronger he looked and the step up to an extended 2m 6f should suit. On a workable mark on handicap debut with Danny Gilligan taking off a handy 5lb
Emancipator, a winner over fences two starts back, is back over hurdles for the first time since winning at Gowran Park back in September. Goes well on testing ground and looks to have a decent chance for a yard 3 winners from 5 runners in the past 14 days.
Waittillitellyou returned from a 9 month layoff to finish an encouraging 7 lengths 4th of 10 at Fairyhouse 43 days ago. The 10-year-old is lightly raced for his age and both his career wins have come on heavy ground. Two pounds out of the handicap but a contender in the first time cheekpieces.
Ms Agartha Yeats was a ½ length 2nd of 11 at Navan in a handicap hurdle (2m 6f) two starts back. There was an excuse (scoped badly) when pulling up at Limerick 61 days ago. If you can forgive the mare her latest run, she could go off decent odds.
Betting Advice:
These are my final selections for the month for what has been a profitable one for those of you who joined the service for February and March.
Naas
2:25 – Kings Halo – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Battle It Out – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:25 – Harvey’s Point – 0.5pts each way – 22/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 5 places)
3:55 – Ms Agartha Yeats – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Emancipator – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Bet365.
Cheers
John