Sunday tips for Naas’ fixtures over the sticks
Only one meeting again goes to post in Ireland and we’ve picked out our Sunday tips for Naas as we assess the day’s racecard which features Grade Two action.
There is only one meeting taking place on Sunday in Ireland to add to the two fixtures in the UK and the day’s action comes over the sticks from Naas where an eight-race card awaits punters. The fixture includes some classy racing action with Grade Two action headlining the meeting along with a Grade Three contest and some competitive handicaps.
We’ve looked over the day’s fixture in Ireland and pick out our Sunday tips for Naas and best bets over the sticks.
IRISH HORSE RACING BEST BETS – SUNDAY TIPS FOR NAAS
2:30 Naas – Paddy Power “From The Horse’s Mouth” Podcast Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) 2m4½f
ENJOY D’ALLEN arrives here on a hat-trick of wins having won both his starts over the larger obstacles following his switch to Ciaran Murphy and the Network gelding can land his three-timer.
Steadily progressive over hurdles and fences for trainer Peter Fahey for whom he posted a number of efforts in the frame he’s been improved by his switch in stable and the application of a tongue-tie to run out a ready winner of starts at Fairyhouse and Thurles latterly.
The handicapper has hit him hard for his latest defeat of R’evelyn Pleasure and he’ll need to improve again to land the spoils here; but he did appear to win a shade readily in that last run and there could be more to come from him so while in his current vein of form he might be worth chancing to continue his winning streak.
3:00 Naas – Paddy Power Betting Shop Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) 1m7½f
ECHOES IN RAIN is much the least exposed of this field and Willie Mullins’ charge can get back on the scoresheet here.
The Authorized mare was a decent sort on the level in France prior to joining to this yard where she was immediately thrust into a Grade Two at Leopardstown. She finished fifth on that occasion behind Aspire Tower although given it was her first run in eight months it is very likely she needed that run and the experience.
Back from another lengthy absence she ran out a wide-margin winner of a course and distance hurdle back in December before being far from disgraced in a Grade Two at Punchestown latest when fourth to Dreal Deal in the Moscow Flyer Hurdle.
She pulled hard on that occasion which probably didn’t help her get home, but she can do better and this doesn’t look the strongest of renewals so every chance she could bounce back with a big performance here where she can get back on the scoresheet.
Sunday tips for Naas. Willie Mullins can win the day’s Grade Two feature race and land the NAP.
4:00 Naas – Paddy Power Livestream UK & Irish Racing On The App Maiden Hurdle (Div I) (5yo+) 1m7½f
FOURNEUX D’ISANKA was pulled up in a point to point won by Bravemansgame prior to joining Gordon Elliott and the Noroit gelding has shown some ability in a punctuated spell with the Meath handler where he’s only made the track three times since.
He was last seen finishing runner-up in a Thurles bumper back in November where he was five lengths adrift of El Barra although that form looks fair and switching now to obstacles he could improve.
This doesn’t look a particularly strong introduction to hurdling and if he can find some improvement for the switch then it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him in the mix here for his in-form yard.
4:30 Naas – Paddy Power Livestream UK & Irish Racing On The App Maiden Hurdle (Div II) (5yo+) 1m7½f
ENVIOUS EDITOR has had plenty of chances to get off the mark but keeps finding one too good; however the Aizavoski gelding could break his duck here and Gordon Elliott’s charge is chanced to do so.
He’s proven a largely consistent sort in defeat, coming up against the likes of Irascible, Gabynako and He’s A Hardy Bloke and he’s performed admirably each time although his last run at Leopardstown on Boxing Day was a disappointing one.
It is possible he was feeling he effects of a busy spell although his yard were out of sorts around the same time and he arrives here fresh from a break with his stable in better fettle so an improved effort is anticipated.
He’s more exposed than these rivals but he remains capable of better and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to produce a big run that might see him end his losing run.