The opening weekend of the flat racing season continues out in Ireland on Sunday and after the highs of the Irish Lincoln on Saturday, we are down to a little more ordinary action as we wait for the UK flat campaign to begin next week.
There is one flat meeting taking place and that comes out in Naas where we have had a good look at the card and found a couple of double figure priced selections which we hope will build on the two places we picked up on Saturday.
2.00 Naas
Preview
14 runners line up for this 6 furlong handicap on the straight course where a low to middle draw is preferred and where you need a horse guaranteed of getting home given the heavy ground and the stiff uphill finish. Chris Hayes rides the favourite in Magical Vision who has won her last 2, both at this track but both over a furlong shorter. If she gets home, she may be hard to beat but I’m not prepared to take that chance, especially at odds of around 3/1. Sounds Of Spring, Half Nutz, Adnaan, Mickey The Steel and Bells On Her Toes were all behind Magical Vision on that most recent win and Adnaan would probably have been the most likely to turn the tables, albeit a draw in 12 tempers enthusiasm. Half Nutz ran well at Dundalk a few weeks ago and has form over the course and distance so is a likely danger.
Betting
However, the one I like at an each way price is Independent Expert. She’s a 4 year old with form over further so there is a slight question mark about whether she has the pace but the ground and nature of the track will help on that score. She’s a really consistent filly with good form on easy ground; on yielding or softer, she’s finished 3/10 at 50/1, 1/12 off a mark of 71, 3/16 off 74 and 6/17 off 74. She races off 72 today so is just 1lb higher than her sole handicap win and she hails from a good yard in decent nick. She’s versatile with regards to run style so it wouldn’t surprise me if she popped out from stall 8 and tried to tack over to the rail and make all, as there isn’t much pace on her inside. There’s no doubt she’ll stay all the way to the line so if she can make this a true stamina test, her chances rank better than the current odds. Add to that she’s never disappointed first time up, I think she rates the best each way option in an open heat.
Tips
Back Independent Expert (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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3.10 Naas
Preview
The other race we have a keen interest in is run over a furlong further round the turning 7 furlongs and a field of 12 head to the start. Chazzesmee is favourite but a 16lb hike in the weights for a last time out win on the all weather doesn’t exactly suggest he’s well handicapped whilst Spanish Tenor bids to follow up his win in this 12 months ago but is now a 9 year old and appears to be on the decline. Plunkett has definite claims, Crystal Black is now racing off a very good mark if back to form and Pale Iris could go well off top weight.
Betting
Loingseoir is the one I’m sweet on here. He loves soft ground and continues in form so his claims are solid. In 19 runs with soft or heavy ground in the description, he’s won 4 times and finished 2nd on 3 other occasions. Last season, he ran 4 times on soft ground; on his first run, he was 2nd of 12 at Roscommon behind Dha Leath and was later 6th of 14 at Tipperary when he looked all over the winner until the 9th furlong proved too much. On his last run of the year, he finished with a good late run to land a 19 runner handicap at the Curragh off 5lbs lower. He was outclassed on reappearance at Dundalk but should now be spot on, fitness wise, and the booking of 7lb claimer James Ryan is eyecatching. I expect him to run well in what’s a very open heat.
Tips
Back Loingseoir (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 23.00 Bet365 BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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