Naas 3.50 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 furlongs - 19 run - Heavy

 

A race full of potential dangers including a few at very big prices. This is a tough left handed track with a steady climb to the line and I want a proven 3 miler to be honest on my side.

 

Will The Wise for Cromwell, who also runs Bridies Beau immediately catches the eye but the favourite Will The Wise is not great value in these conditions and Bridies Beau goes up in trip and with another hefty penalty. Senior Chief is back over Hurdles and it looks very much like a fitness run for this one with Aintree a possible target. The Story So Far is back to the right trip and I have fewer concerns over stamina than I do its current handicap mark, so I think it's vulnerable here.

 

WaittilItellyou has found a sudden improvement as an 11 year old and is not lightly discounted and made my final short list of 5 horses and is a danger as is Millstream Lady a cosy winner last time but upped in trip in what may not be ideal ground. Maxi Mac Gold would be better suited by better underfoot conditions and a couple who really catch the eye at massive odds are West Is Awake who has glimmers of form that suggest a top 5-6 finish is not a pipe dream and Eagles Reign who was runner up in last years Fred Winter no less.

 

Ian will cover POTTER MERCHANT below and the hope is it doesn't win this today but he'll explain more.

 

My top 4 rated though are JERIKO DE BAUNE who is best left handed and on Courses like this with tough uphill finishes. He's very well handicapped off a mark of 109 with a 5lbs Claim and I'll be very disappointed if he's not right in contention. LUCKY LYREEN has proven stamina, the handicap mark is fine, runs better left handed than some scribes believe and should be capable of running into a place at least here. HELIKO CONTI completes the top three, another with proven stamina in mud lots to like and I can't find any excuse for it not being very competitive in the conditions.

 

Finally, JODY TED is well worth a small each way investment at 50/1 plus. This one has been in some very select and deep company over fences, returns to Hurdles in conditions that suit and an eye catching bit of Hurdles form the last time it ran over Hurdles in this sort of company saw a win off a mark of 115, so today's mark of 116, is very exciting for those that like something to cheer on against all the apparent odds. (Placespotter)

 

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Fontwell 2.30 Handicap Chase - 2 miles 5 and 1/2 furlongs - 11 run - Soft / Heavy

 

Leading Swoop is the one to beat here with 3 placed finishes on its last 3 Course and distance runs but it is a 9 year old maiden who tends to find one too good on the day. Gary Moore, always to be feared here sends out a possible improver in Celtic ned who may be about to deliver, the tip may stretch Valirann Gold in these conditions and Elpologreg has some claims off a basement mark.

 

I'm most keen though on SIR ROCK who is below his last winning mark over Course and Distance and who will come on for a recent run after a wind operation and DOC McCOY can't be ignored either at a nice price. This one has struggled at 2 miles over fences, but started life winning a 2 and a half mile P2P in very impressive fashion and a step up in trip may well show the horses true ability. (Advisor) .

 

TRACKERS

 

Fontwell 2.30 - Rock On Rita

Naas 3.50 West Is Awake (see tip analysis)

Hereford 4.40 Shillanavogy

Fontwell 4.00 Millies Mite (jockey angle)