FESTIVAL-BOUND WARRIOR MUST WIN THIS: That’s Shamrock’s verdict on what he calls ‘the match of the day’ when Bog Warrior bids for revenge over Blackstairmountain. He also has Seventy Three reasons for an each-way bet at the Naas meeting.
Match of the day! Not United v. Liverpool. Not even France v. Ireland tonight. But Bog Warrior v Blackstairmountain at Naas. Kick-off: 1.50.
Two horses beaten last time out; two old rivals; two each with two top targets at Cheltenham: Big Warrior, RSA or Arkle; Blackstairmountain, Arkle or Jewson.
An early rematch was always on the cards after Blackstairmountain won the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas when odds-on Bog Warrior fell.
The Willie Mullins ‘Mountain’ didn’t handle the bog – and this time I mean the ground – over the same CD last time out so today’s Naas terrain, better than that we’re led to believe, could be a deciding factor.
But, before you lump on the ‘Warrior’, so might the favourite’s jumping be a deciding factor, although the Christmas party that went wrong could just be one of those blips, with Tony Martin insisting that this is the best horse he’s ever trained.
If Cheltenham is a reality, we have to see this horse take hold of this race today and make every fence a winning one.
Martin sets a poser from the very first race, when he books Ruby Walsh for Wingtips, leaving the Willie Mullins’ runner, Midnight Oil, to Davy Russell.
Seventy Three (3.30) was easy to back on the Daq this morning but my notebook says ‘first handicap’, and here he is today.
A Flemensfirth, he will need further and his future is ahead of him (bright boy wanted) but I don’t want one of those days when I wished I’d stuck to my guns; I’m sure he’ll get the money back for me (and J P McManus) if it’s ‘not today.’
Whatever happens to Blackstairmountain, Willie Mullins should take home the bumper prize with Mozoltov (nap, 4.30). Business as usual.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Mozoltov (4.30 Naas)
NEXT BEST: Bog Warrior (1.50 Naas)
OUTSIDER: Seventy Three (3.30 Naas)
DAQ YANKEE: Bog Warrior (1.50 Naas), Seventy Three (3.30 Naas), Shinrock Paddy (4.00 Naas), Mozoltov (4.30 Naas)
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