Hi all,
There’s a fair card at Naas this afternoon with two Grade 3 contests, the highlights of a seven-race card. The Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase 3m 1f novice chase (2:45) sees Embassy Gardens a warm favourite to follow up an impressive chase debut success at Punchestown last month. The other Grade 3 the Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle (2:10) provides a good opportunity for Zarak The Brave to return to winning ways.
The Grade 2 SBK Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (2:35) is the highlight on the second day of racing at Doncaster.
Naas
3:45 – Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival 2024 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle – 2m 2 ½ f
Pride Of Place improved for the step up to 2m 3f when a 1 ½ lengths 3rd of 18 here 16 days ago. But for a mistake at the last he would have gone close to winning. He’s been nudged up 2lb but is open to further progress and should go close.
Heliko Conti has finished runner-up on both starts since joining the Paul Nolan yard. Looked slightly stretched stamina wise upped to 2m 4f when a 2-length 2nd of 21 to Music of Tara at Leopardstown over Christmas. Today’s intermediate distance could be ideal on testing ground and the addition of the first time cheekpieces make him a major player once more.
I find it difficult to split Pride Of Place and Heliko Conti but at the present odds I’m struggling to justify two bets in this race.
Heliko Conti – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John