Tag Archive for: Naas

McManus pair set for classy Naas novice hurdle

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Owner JP McManus is set to be double-handed in Sunday’s Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, with both Dawn Rising and Inothewayurthinking on course for the Grade One.

Dawn Rising was Group Three placed on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien before transferring to his son Joseph, who has saddled the six-year-old to win two of his three hurdles outings.

He is set to be joined in the famous green and gold silks by Inothewayurthinking, who has won both his hurdles spins for Gavin Cromwell.

McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “They are both in good form and the intention is for both to run. They’ve both had their couple of runs so this is the next step for them.

“It’s a nice race on a lovely track and it will be great to see them out at the weekend.”

Willie Mullins has four to choose from, topped by Grangeclare West who made an impressive start over hurdles at Navan in November, adding to bumper and point-to-point triumphs.

Grangeclare West impressed when winning at Navan
Grangeclare West impressed when winning at Navan (PA)

The Closutton handler also has Champ Kiely, Gaelic Warrior and Spanish Harlem in contention, while Gordon Elliott has three to pick from in Grade One-placed Irish Point, Three Card Brag and Imagine.

Noel Meade’s Affordale Fury, the Oliver McKiernan-trained Kalanisi Star and Monbeg Park from Sean Doyle’s yard complete the entries.

Doyle would be keen to test Monbeg Park at the highest level following his recent third in Grade Three company, but conditions will be key to his challenge.

The trainer said: “Monbeg Park is in good form and it would be great to run but we’re watching the weather and if the rain stays away, we could well take our chance.

“If the ground gets too soft for him, we won’t chance it.”

Cheltenham Festival 2021 – Day One – Cheltenham Racecourse
Appreciate It has his latest chase start (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Appreciate It, winner of the 2021 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for Mullins, could be one of the stars on the undercard, as he is entered in the Rathmore Stud Irish EBF Novice Chase having made a successful start over fences at Punchestown last month.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase has drawn some classy entries, with Roseys Hollow, Skyace and Telmesomethinggirl all aiming to score over fences for the first time.

Devious Company still on course for Naas

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Devious Company remains on course for this weekend’s Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas after his fine effort to finish runner-up at York.

Tom Dascombe’s classy two-year-old was just outdone by Happy Romance in Thursday’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes, but the plan is still to run him in Ireland on Sunday.

Devious Company won his first two starts in maiden and novice company at Haydock, and was then twice a Group Two runner up – in the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket and the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

The son of Fast Company stepped down to six furlongs at York, something Dascombe felt contributed to his defeat.

“Sadly, for me, not for Richard Hannon (trainer of Happy Romance), the one danger was dropping back in trip on a faster track,” he said.

“He’s never been the fastest out of the stalls – but he’s always got away with it until now, to some degree.

“Yesterday after a hundred yards, he couldn’t win. He’s a nice horse, but the winner is obviously very good. I thought we ran a great race – it just didn’t work out for us.”

Dascombe is considering another six-furlong test at Naas, in a lucrative race open to juveniles whose sire stands at median fee of no more than 75,000 euros.

The near 150,000 euros on offer to the winner is especially attractive to the Cheshire trainer when he compares it to reduced levels of prize money currently in Britain because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s very tempting to go to Ireland on Sunday for that sales race,” he said.

“As we all know, the prize money this year is absolutely shocking. Ballyhane, the sponsor, have done a fantastic job of putting on really good prize money – and they deserve to be really well supported.

“I would dearly love to run him, but if I think there’s any reason not to then I’ve got until midday tomorrow to make up my mind. The intention is definitely to run on Sunday, if there’s no reason not to.”

Recent rainfall has left the Naas turf yielding to soft, but Dascombe is not perturbed by the further rain forecast and feels his consistent colt can perform in all conditions.

“Honestly I don’t think he minds,” he said.

“He’s just a totally professional two-year-old colt who will pretty much respond in any way that he can. If I give him a challenge that he can’t do, well then he can’t do it.

“Yesterday I asked him to take on a very good filly over an inadequate trip on a fast track – but that was my fault, not his.”