*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Frank Hickey and Paddy Power have cast their eyes over an intriguing card at Naas on Sunday. Speaking on the latest episode of our From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, Frank shared his homework on the two stand-out contests while Paddy played it very safe with one of his picks.
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Frank Hickey
1.15pm – Beacon Edge
This is a tasty little race. Grand Roi went for big money to Gordon Elliott and was quite impressive at Limerick in a Grade 2 but was held behind BEACON EDGE. I think Bachasson will go off in front in this race and tee it up for Beacon Edge.
Coeur Sublime has the ability to get involved but he is giving weight away and Beacon Edge looks really progressive. This season, he won at Downpatrick in October then absolutely slammed Minella Melody in a Grade 3 at Galway and ran a cracker in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle when he was beaten by three quarters of a length by Honeysuckle.
Those races were all over two and a half miles while he drops back to 2m here, but last year he was second twice at Naas on testing ground – first in a Grade 2 when he was beaten a nose by Jason The Militant and he was then beaten a neck by Cedarwood Road in a Listed novice hurdle. He probably has the pace for 2m.
Bachasson will make this a good pace, which will probably play to Beacon Edge’s strengths, and the run at Fairyhouse is the best form on offer by a long way. I expect him to get back to winning ways.
3.15pm – Pencilfulloflead
This is a cracking race. PENCILFULLOFLEAD has to concede 8lbs all round but I think he might be up to it. His form over fences is really strong-looking – he beat Coko Beach at Galway back in October, and Coko Beach won the Thyestes at Gowran on Thursday off a mark of 138. He will probably go up to a mark in the mid-to-high 140s.
Pencilfulloflead then slammed Latest Exhibition in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown over an extended 2m6f – Latest Exhibition gave Monkfish a decent enough race at Leopardstown at Christmas. And then last time out Pencilfulloflead probably just found the trip of an extended 2m3f a bit of the short side when beaten a half length by Colreevy. Colreevy bolted up in a Grade 3 at Thurles the other day as well so all his form looks solid.
At the moment, he is the value in the Festival Novices’ Chase and is a decent player. The one I hope doesn’t win – maybe run well, but not too well – is Escaria Ten. I have him in my shortlist for the Kim Muir. Whether he will be rated low enough to get in, we don’t know, but he was very impressive at Thurles just before Christmas after finishing fifth behind Monkfish on his chasing debut. If he could get a mark under 145, I would be very keen on him for the Kim Muir so I don’t want him winning here because that will blow my plan out of the water.
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Paddy Power
1.15pm – Grand Roi
Beacon Edge beat GRAND ROI at Galway back in October, but that was Grand Roi’s first run after an awfully long break. Beacon Edge’s form is strong, but over further distances.
Gordon Elliott’s horses didn’t have a particularly good Christmas but at Limerick on December 29 Grand Roi absolutely hosed up on heavy ground, hammering Wolf Prince. I was taken enough with that, considering stable form at the time. Grand Roi might turn it around on Beacon Edge.
3.15pm – Pencilfulloflead
I’m a big fan of PENCILFULLOFLEAD so I’m 100 per cent behind him, and I agree with everything Frank says about him.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Frank Hickey
1.15pm – Beacon Edge
3.15pm – Pencilfulloflead
Paddy Power
1.15pm – Grand Roi
3.15pm – Pencilfulloflead
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