Hi all,
If the last few days weren’t enough for you there’s more top quality racing on Sunday. The Irish flat season comes to an end at Naas where the highlight races are two Premier Handicap: The Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Handicap (12:40) and The Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap (3:47).
For jumps fans the place to be is Cork where it’s the Paddy Power Cork Grand National Handicap Chase (3:13). This side of the Irish Sea Sandown race over jumps for the first time season. Ok, the field sizes aren’t great but it’s normally informative card at Sandown.
In today’s preview I have looked at the best of the races from Sandown, Naas and Cork and I have selections at all three meetings.
Sandown
Guy Fawkes Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier) (3:05)
Monviel gained a second success over hurdles when winning a novice hurdle over C&D (Heavy) in February. Found things much tougher and couldn’t get competitive on handicap debut when only 8th of 22 in the Imperial Cup over C&D last time. Looks capable of doing better this season and can show his handicap mark is workable. If Phillip Hobbs has him ready to roll first time it could be today.
Sandown Park Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3:35)
Top-weight Lostintranslation won a Grade 2 at Ascot 12 months ago on his seasonal return. The former Grade 1 winning chaser is the class horse of the race and given he goes well fresh he’s the one to beat racing veteran chase company for the first time. Wandrin Star isn’t the most reliable, but he was on a going day when winning this race 12 months ago, from 2lb lower. His form figures returning from a 121 to 365-day break are 1121 so catching him fresh may pay dividends once more.
Naas
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap (12:40)
Mile End looks like a sprint juvenile very much on an upward curve. A winner of a soft ground nursey at the Curragh two starts back. She followed up at Navan last month when comfortably defying a 12lb rise in the weights. Another 8lb rise demands further progress from the filly but it could be forthcoming on ground that suits.
Lisieux improved for the step into handicap company for the first time when winning over C&D three weeks ago. The testing ground really suited her last time and although she’s up 8lb is going the right way.
Polar Bear got off the mark at the ninth attempt when winning a C&D maiden three weeks ago. That was the colt’s first start on soft ground, and he seemed to improve for it.
Marco Monaco has shown enough in three starts in maiden companyto suggest he can win a race. He had no issues with the heavy ground when 3rd of 12 at Navan 18-days ago. Needs to step up again in handicap company for the first time.
Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap (Premier Handicap) (3:27)
Plenty of the 20 runners have claims here. It could be that high class hurdlers/chasers The Shunter and The Very Man will come to the fore here. Both are unexposed on the level. The Shunter has just had three starts on the flat as has The Very Man. Both look well handicapped if bring their best jumping form to the flat. Preference just for The Shunter with Jamie Powell taking of a handy 5lb.
Harry’s Legacy is a useful staying handicapper at his best and was an excellent 2 ¼ length 2nd of 22 at the Curragh last time. He handled soft ground at the Curragh last time, but heavy ground asks another question of the 4-year-old.
Joseph O’Brien has a couple of lively contenders in Flying Scotsman & Powerful Aggie. Flying Scotsman took well the first time blinkers when winning at Listowel (1m 4f) in September. The 5-year-old acts on testing ground and should stay 2m. Up 7lb for his latest success asks more of him but he’s likely to be competitive if his stamina holds. Powerful Aggie was a ½ length 2nd of 18 in last year’s race and is 2lb lower this time around. Came into last year’s race in winning form and has struggled so far this season although she’s shown more on her last two starts. No issues with heavy ground for the filly and a big run could be forthcoming.
Gavin Cromwell won this in 2018 and he’s got two with serious claims in Dutch Schultz & My Mate Mozzie. The first named was a bit unlucky in the run when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 20 to Echoes Of Rain at Galway in July. However, he was well below his best at Leopardstown last time. He’s won a heavy in the past and has been given a 57-day break so could easily bounce back to form here. My Mate Mozzie is a very useful hurdler and like The Shunter and The Very Man could still have more to offer on the flat now stepped up to 2m. Not well positioned but ran on well when a 2 length 4th of 23 to Moracana on handicap debut at Leopardstown (1m 5f) in the race Dutch Schultz disappointed in September. Jessie Evans was one place and ¾ length ahead of My Mate Mozzie at Leopardstown. She’s since gone onto win a Grade 3 over hurdles since and must be respected back on the flat. However, really testing ground would be a concern for me.
Cork
Paddy Power Cork Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade B) (3:13)
A field of 17 runners and Gordon Elliott saddles five of them. Elliott has saddled the winner of this twice since 2018 and given the form of the yard he’s got a great chance of having a third. The pick of his five look to be Braeside & Defi Bleu. The first named won this 12 months ago from 12lb lower. Very disappointing on his final three starts of last season, failing to complete on two of them. He has an abundance of stamina, like soft ground and another big run can be expected back here. Defi Bleu put it altogether when finding plenty for pressure to beat Donkey Years at Fairyhouse in April. Raced like the run was needed when 6th of 16 in the Munster National at Limerick two weeks ago. Better can expected from the 9-year-old today.
Recite A Prayer put in a career best on RPR’s when a 2 ¾ length 2nd of 16 in the Kerry National last time. It was good going that day and I think that’s his sort of ground. Diol Ker improved for the step into handicap chase company when 4th of 18 in the Thyestes Chase and then went onto win the Leinster National at Naas. He should stay a marathon trip and although he’s now 9lb higher than winning at Naas should be competitive in these sort of handicap chases.
Screaming Colours was in excellent form at the end of last season winning the Midland National at Uttoxeter and then finishing 4th of 27 in the Irish Grand National. He was staying on when making a bad mistake at the last at Fairyhouse. Earlier in the season he finished a three length runner-up to Braeside in this race. He might be an 11-year-old but he’s a 3m 4f handicap chaser that needs to be kept on side this winter.
Betting Advice:
Sandown
3:05 – Monviel – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Bet365
3:35 – Wandrin Star – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365
Naas
12:40 – Mile End – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Bet365
3:37 – Powerful Aggie – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Dutch Schultz – 12/1 @ Bet365
Cork
3:13 – Screaming Colours – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Braeside – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
There’s another high quality weekend ahead. On Friday’s it’s the start of Cheltenham’s November meeting. It’s one of my favourite meetings and one I have had some success at in recent years. I’m hoping I will be able to find more winners there this year. Not sure if there will be any selections before Friday but watch your inboxes for updates.
Cheers
John