SPOTLIGHT ON NOVICES AT NAAS: The Chepstow meeting in Wales and the Naas novice trials in Ireland have survived but English racing is wiped out, with Plumpton’s Sussex National meeting falling to bad weather conditions.
TOMORROW: Ayr and Ludlow inspect early with Wolverhampton AW seemingly certain for Monday.
EXPECT ATLANTIQUE SWELL
⭕ 1.25 Naas (Grade-2 novice chase) Bookies and their punters have not known whose side to be on this morning in this cracking three-way test on soft-heavy ground: Mullins v Elliott v De Bromhead.
But Betdaq Betting Exchange was showing Inthepocket around even money, with Ile Atlantique 3.5 and Firefox 4.2.
Inthepocket (Henry De Bromhead) was top novice hurdler at Aintree at the Grand National meeting of 2023, after fourth in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham.
Second in his first chase that autumn, he had another long break but went 15 lengths clear of 140-rated Farren Glory at Wexford in November.
Willie Mullins’ Ile Atlantique made all, romping away from a big field at Navan (2m 4f+) but drops back to 2m here.
He seems sure to set off in front again but his problem – and the poser for punters – is that Firefox for Gordon Elliott has also been chasing at 20 furlongs.
A grade-1 hurdler, he has won a 2m 4f chase at Down Royal, disputing the lead throughout, and finished a close third in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse.
YELLOW GETS GREEN LIGHT
⭕ 1.55 Naas (Grade-1 novice hurdle) The score in the decade is Willie Mullins 5, Gordon Elliot 4, and – sharing six of the eight runners today – they seem to be tilting for the €59,000 prize again.
But, with Rachael Blackmore back among the winners at the turn of the year, Henry De Bromhead will hope to add to Bob Olinger’s strike in 2021 with the still-raw recruit, but dual winner, Butch Cassidy.
Gordon Elliott’s best could be The Yellow Clay, who has vastly more experience. The son of Yeats was sixth then second in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper then the Punchestown equivalent last Spring.
His hurdles hat-trick in the autumn stepped up from maiden to Grade 3 and then to Grade 2.
Willie Mullins pitches the Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner, Jasmin De Vaux, into this Grade-1 hurdle after just one race over the sticks.
He went clear of a big field but the red flags are that the runner-up, trained Gordon Elliott, is rated a stone behind The Yellow Clay, and that the race was Jasmin de Vaux’s sole hurdles start.
Betdaq Betting Exchange 2.86 Jasmin De Vaux, 3.85 The Yellow Clay, 8.5 Butch Cassidy
ILLICO NAP FOR SKELTONS
⭕ 1.45 Chepstow This chase celebrates the December Welsh Grand National victory of Val Dancer, trained by Mel Rowley.
Daqman was on the gamble of the race, runner-up Jubilee Express, but rather than go in for one-hand clapping, I’ll praise the lady’s training expertise and sorry the heavy ground has ruled out her Mahland this morning.
It is understandable because both Mahland and Ballybentragh (also withdrawn), were on their chasing debut.
Phantom Getaway is 0-5 over fences and has pulled up in three of his last four races, though has now dropped almost a stone.
The Skeltons’ relentless autumn form has dropped away but Illico De Cotte has proved his stamina over the tough fences of Carlisle.
Newton Abbot winner Livin On Luco beat a class-5 runner-up when scoring at Newton Abbot and was put in his place at Cheltenham.
DAQMAN’S BETS on Betdaq Betting Exchange
1.25 Naas (win 10)
BET 4pts win ILE ATLANTIQUE
★ 1.45 Chepstow (win 12 nap)
BET 10pts win ILLICO DE COTTE
1.55 Naas (win 12)
BET 4pts win THE YELLOW CLAY
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