NAAS Sat: While the British National Hunt season gets underway at Chepstow, we’re looking toward the Flat card at Naas on Saturday, which hosts seven races, including a Premier Nursery Handicap and the Listed Steels Stakes.
⭕ A two-year-olds’ maiden starts us off (1.40pm) over a mile. With the ground due to be testing, this will be a tough task for the juveniles, and form or pedigree in soft conditions should be looked into. Aidan O’Brien’s debutant Chemistry, a son of Kingman, is bred to have ability on soft ground and has a five-pound claimer in the saddle, so could be our winner. Chicago Critic also has the pedigree for heavier ground and is also of interest.
⭕ Next is a mile maiden (2.15pm). Of the 17 runners, four are newcomers, including Michael O’Callaghan’s Mooretown Lad, a full brother to Group 2 winner I Am Superman, whose pedigree indicates he should have a chance in this company. Aidan O’Brien’s Ballsbridge could improve from his first, creditable run for fourth place on heavy ground back in March and might be the one to beat.
⭕ Third up is the six-furlong Premier Nursery Handicap (2.50pm), a race with plenty of depth. Ocean Baroque has some strong form on soft ground over this distance and is given seven pounds by his claiming rider, but could be hampered by a draw in 15. Jim Bolger’s Neo Smart, who was second to Porta Fortuna on debut on heavy ground but has since been disappointing on better ground, comes here after a break and could be the one to beat in these conditions.
⭕ The six-furlong Listed Steels Stakes is next (3.25pm). Jack Davison’s Thunderbear won last time out at Newbury over this distance in similar conditions last month and ought to be able to reproduce that form, provided he can overcome a draw on the outside in stall seven. Amazon Lady might be one to watch out for too.
⭕ The fifth race is a six-furlong handicap (4.00pm). Nine-year-old Tai Sing Yeh has had a terrific season, and if running to his usual form, should be able to go close here from stall two. Mickey The Steel, however, will thrive in these conditions, having won on heavy ground last time out, and has the innermost draw and a seven-pound claimer in the saddle to add to his chances.
⭕ A hot seven-furlong handicap is next (4.35pm). Joint bottom-weight Facethepuckout could surprise here, having nearly always managed to hit the frame on soft ground before, and should have a good chance of making the frame. Cavallo Pazzo, however, comes here on the back of a heavy-ground win over this distance and is given seven pounds by his rider, so should have enough in his favour to win again.
⭕ Our final race of the day is a fillies’ and mares’ maiden over seven furlongs (5.10pm). Beauty Bella has proven to be adept at overcoming wide draws in the past and ought to be capable of winning this, with seven-pound claimer Jack Cleary aboard. Newcomer Betty Grey, three-parts sister to the useful, soft-ground-handling Newgirlintown, could have a chance too from a draw in stall one.
