GAVIN CROMWELL: Brand Ambassador and trainer Gavin Cromwell previews his weekend runners and is excited about Princess Yaiza’s chances at Naas.
We’ve got a busy Friday evening with plenty of runners at Kilbeggan as well as one on the Flat at Killarney. The horses continue to run well and in addition to one winner last week, we had plenty who were in the money which was great. With any luck that will continue this weekend.
Kilbeggan Friday
Our first runners are Walking The Walk and You Say Nothing in the maiden hurdle (4.00pm). Although it’s not the deepest of races both are probably up against it here and I don’t think either are quite good enough to win a maiden.
Next up is Broken Ice in the maiden hurdle (4.35pm) who is another who is likely to find a few too good here. One of those is Malone Road who much is expected of and it will be great to see him back in action after such a long lay-off.
Whirling Dervish goes in the novice hurdle (5.10pm). He won very well the last day and in all honesty it was a bit of a surprise! He doesn’t show an awful lot at home, but based on that win he’s clearly got ability and hopefully that win will give him plenty of confidence. It doesn’t look the deepest of novice hurdles and we’re hoping he can run another good race.
We then run Saol Iontach in the handicap hurdle (5.45pm). She’s ready to go and conditions should be in her favour given she’s run well with cut in the ground previously. She should be there or thereabouts and we’re hoping she runs a nice race.
Captain Courageous ran well in handicap company the last day and we’re going back to a maiden (6.15pm) this time. He has a penalty to deal with having won a Flat race which makes his life tougher. He’s wrong at the weights with a couple, but the trip will suit and he should go there with an each-way squeak.
We round things off with Global Racing, Biddy The Boss and Quantatmental in the handicap chase (7.15pm). There aren’t a huge amount of options for the three of them which is why we’re running all three of them in the same race.
Quantatmental would probably be the pick of them. He ran well at Kilbeggan on his first run back after a lay-off where everything just happened a bit quick for him. We’re hoping the step up to 3m1f will suit and with any luck that will see him run a nice race.
Global Racing has lost his way a little bit, but Conor McNamara’s claim will hopefully make his life easier.
It’s a similar story with Biddy The Boss who hasn’t shown anything since winning on New Year’s Day. He’s better than that and hopefully he can show it now.
Killarney Friday
Father Ailbe hasn’t run since February, but we think we’ve found a nice race for him here in this apprentice handicap (4.10pm). The more rain the better for him, but given the lengthy lay-off we’re not expecting too much. A good solid run would be more than acceptable.
Killarney Saturday
We run Mutadaffeq in the 2m7f handicap hurdle (4.00pm) on Saturday. The step up in trip should suit him and we’re hopeful of a decent showing given it’s probably not as strong a contest as we thought it would be. He got no sort of run last time at Galway and off a low weight, he’s entitled to go well.
Naas Sunday
We’re looking forward to running Princess Yaiza in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes (3.20pm) at Naas on Sunday. She’s in great form at home and we couldn’t be happier with her heading into it. The ground will be to her liking too and all is hopefully set for a bold showing.
