Decent fare in Ireland on Sunday. With the likes of Envoi Allen and Cyrname starting their campaigns this weekend, it’s fair to say that the National Hunt season is fully up and running. Cork will probably capture the imagination of the majority of punters.
That’s fair enough. I’m still happy to poke the dying embers of the flat season in Naas. There’s a storm brewing in the Atlantic. With plenty of rain around on Sunday, testing conditions will prevail at both venues.
13:30 Naas – Raise You
Laughifyouwant will prove a popular selection in the Glencairn Stakes. The case for him is obvious, and he’s greatly feared. RAISE YOU might offer a spot of value in this contest, even if he hasn’t really kicked on since joining the Joseph O’Brien yard.
There are reasons to expect a peak effort here though. He has travelled strongly on his last couple of starts, altough he ultimately paid for running too freely on his penultimate start in the Curragh. He was again a touch keen last time out. He ran well in the circumstances though. He was held up off a muddling gallop, and was also interfered with when making his challenge.
The drop to a mile on testing ground could prove optimal and there looks to be plenty of pace on here. If Shane Crosse can get the horse to relax early, I expect Raise You to come home strongly.
14:00 Naas – With Thanks
It looks a weak renewal of the Athasi Stakes. Backing fillies in November should carry a wealth warning, but it’s very hard to get away from WITH THANKS all the same. This filly has plenty of upside on the back of just four career starts.
She comes here on the back of a fine effort when running Onassis to half a length in Goodwood. Onassis has subsequently advertised the form in Group 1 company. The ratings say otherwise, but that’s probably the best bit of form on offer here and this will be just her fourth start of the campaign.
That freshness in the legs should prove advantageous. The deeper the ground, the better. She will be favourite, but there’s so much to like. I expect a comfortable victory.
14:35 Naas – True Artist
This nursery looks a tightly knit affair. With the powerhouse stables of Irish racing well represented, it’s possible TRUE ARTIST will be overlooked in the market. This horse makes his handicap debut here and an opening mark of 79 looks lenient.
His sixth in a valuable sales race on penultimate start reads well and his subsequent sixth in a maiden was a decent effort too. The winner of that race is a serious prospect. True Artist’s performance that day can be marked up too, as he was messed around more than once in the latter stages.
The ground is something of an unknown but, as a son of Mastercraftsman, he should enjoy it. It will also bring his proven stamina into play. He can go well at rewarding odds.
Read: Horse Racing tips: Niall O’Reilly’s 10/1 shout for Paddy Power Cork Grand National
14:46 Cork – Home By The Lee
Over to Cork and this graded novice chase looks a competitive affair. Captain Cj sets a decent standard but may be vulnerable under a penalty to some race fit rivals. One of those, HOME BY THE LEE, rates the selection.
This horse is a bit of a slow learner, but he has a fair engine though. He displayed that when making a successful chasing debut in Limerick. A series of mistakes, and generally careful jumping, left him with a lot of ground to make up turning for home. Encouragingly, he managed to get up, helped in no small part by producing good leaps over the final couple of fences. He looked to win snugly enough in the end and the third that day has run well since.
The drop in trip on Sunday isn’t ideal, but this stiffer track will help though. He will need to jump better of course. Promisingly, JJ Slevin retains the ride, so It’s to be hoped that both horse and rider will put the Limerick experience to good use. If so, this horse should go very close here.
15:20 Cork – The Caddy Rose
The Cork Grand National is the feature. Paddy sponsor the race, and very sportingly give us an extra couple of places and it would be rude not to have an each way tickle. THE CADDY ROSE rates a solid betting proposition.
She has run well on her last couple of starts. On both occasions she looked to be crying out for a step up in trip. She gets that here, and her close second to a well handicapped horse last time suggests the handicapper hasn’t necessarily got to grips with her.
Noel Meade has his string in rude health and there isn’t much obvious competition for the early lead either. I expect her to bounce out in front, jump well and prove hard to catch.
16:25 Cork – Sit Down Lucy
A mare’s bumper closes the card and Brooklynn Glory is bound to be popular. Trained by Willie Mullins, and an impressive winner of her only start, she isn’t opposed lightly. That win did come in a weak race though.
SIT DOWN LUCY, in receipt of seven pounds, may represent a value alternative. This mare looked set to give the promising Delvino a scare on debut. Ultimately, she was beaten by 4 lengths.
That was still a very promising effort and she was understandably a little green in the closing stages. Expect her to know more here. She’s proven on deep ground, and Jamie Codd is booked. She should go close here.
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Brendan Duke’s tips summary:
13:30 Naas – Raise You
14:00 Naas – With Thanks
14:35 Naas – True Artist
14:46 Cork – Home By The Lee
15:20 Cork – The Caddy Rose
16:25 Cork – Sit Down Lucy
READ MORE:
- Horse Racing tips: Paul Jacobs’ 5 to thrive this weekend
- Pocket £/€5,000 in Paddy Power’s Cork Grand National Sweepstake
- Horse Racing tips: Anything Will Do for Paddy Power at Cork on Sunday
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