* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Naas 13:20 – Energumene
This is a cracking novice chase and the winner is likely to be the main Irish hope for the Arkle at the Cheltenham festival. Blackbow is on a retrieval mission after his sloppy fall in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown at Christmas, while Captain Guinness looked over his heart issue when winning nicely at Punchestown last time.
Both are really nice horses but I suspect that Energumene could be top class. Beaten on his rules debut in a Navan bumper in November 2019, he won a bumper and maiden hurdle before going straight over fences off the back of those two wins.
His chase debut was really impressive and the time compared really favourably with the other two chases over the same course and distance that day. He drops back to two miles here but I suspect that should prove no issue for him. I’m hoping he can prove how good he really is here and announce himself the main challenger to Shishkin come March.
Naas 14:50 – On Eagles Wings
Captain Kangaroo has been a little disappointing in both of his starts over hurdles, particularly when you consider that he beat Kilcruit in his only start in bumpers back in March. He has a bit to prove now, while Grand Paradis makes his hurdling debut off the back of an impressive bumper debut at Fairyhouse at the end of November.
While that was impressive, I’m not sure that the form is any stronger than that of On Eagles Wings and we are likely to get a bigger price on Tim Hyde’s runner. On Eagles Wings was 2nd to Ferny Hollow last February and then beat Stattler who is now among the market leaders for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
He defied a penalty at Cork but found the exciting Chemical Energy too much to handle at Down Royal in October. He has been off since but hopefully his jumping holds up and if it does he should be involved at the business end of the race.
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Kempton 17:50 – Recuerdame
This looks a particularly weak mile handicap and it looks worth siding with Recuerdame for the in form Simon Dow stable. The yard are operating at a 31% strike rate at a 77% Run to form rate for the past two weeks.
Recuerdame has won 3 times since July, off marks of 50 (over this course and distance), 53 & 56 and finds himself back off a mark of 56 here. Hollie Doyle takes the ride which is another positive and the majority of the field are out of form, which only strengthens the case for Recuerdame.
Frank’s tips on Wednesday
Naas 13:20 – Energumene
Naas 14:50 – On Eagles Wings
Kempton 17:50 – Recuerdame
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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