FIVE NAPS UP OUT OF EIGHT: Shamrock’s nap returned to form yesterday: it wasn’t much of a price at SP, but Dawariya (WON 4-9) was better than evens in Betdaq-value morning offers. Shamrock’s naps sequence is now 11101231.
12.0 SHOT TIPPED AT NAAS: A 12.0 morning outsider on Betdaq trained by a stable in form is one of Shamrock’s bets at Naas tonight but the nap goes on an improver of Jim Bolger’s.
Follow three-year-olds at Naas today. It’s a tough time for punters with big-field handicaps again, like yesterday, but second-season animals should see you through.
In the 8.30, three-year-olds have won six of the last seven and Jim Bolger three of the last five. Put them together and you get Vastitas, which sounds like something catching, but the filly herself was not for catching at Roscommon nine days back, when she won six lengths.
That acquired her a rating of 82 but, with the three-year-olds allowance, she still gets weight from 72-rated Ted Dolly. That’s how good it is for improving second-season animals at this time of year.
John Oxx is the trainer in form but Aznavour has won only his first-race maiden (which I never like) and has been kept to the top of the ground so far. The going at Naas has some cut and might get softer, with showers forecast; it’s certainly yielding.
Ted Dolly is seven now, up in distance, weight and grade on his 7f Cork win (in a 64-80 handicap) 10 days ago and having already run since. In fact, he had three runs in six days and due a break. I’ll lay him.
Three-year-olds are 4-1 up in what seems an easier race to nap in, the 10-furlongs conditions race (8.00) but there are three three-year-olds and three runners identically rated on 97, of which two are in that second-season trio.
They are Haziyna and Sapphire, yet you can’t leave out their peer, Rising Wind.
Rising Wind is trained Kevin Prendergast and ridden by Declan McDonough, a partnership showing a 50% course record in these events. The well-named Sirocco filly hasn’t run this season but won first time, and on soft ground, as a two-year-old.
However, Haziyna was very close to beating Laughing at Leopardstown on an easy surface after winning her maiden nearly six lengths. As a Halling, she can show further improvement this season.
The sprint handicap (7.30) is always won by a horse aged four or five with 9st or more. That turns the spotlight on Stones Peak, a Navan winner 12 days back from Mo Saoirse and The Educator.
Mo Saoirse (12.0 on Betdaq this morning) has been steadily improving, with Joanna Morgan’s team at peak right now, and the mare is better off at the weights and with an extra furlong to travel. Kevin Manning takes over the ride.
The Educator is with a yard which does well here and should not be overlooked for a saver, weighted to turn around Navan form with Desert Ben. Maunsells Duke (trainer in form) and Bubbly Bellini (trainer out of form) have won only on AW.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Vastitas (8.30 Naas)
NEXT BEST: Haziyna (8.00 Naas)
LAY: Ted Dolly (8.30 Naas)
OUTSIDER: Mo Saoirse (7.30 Naas)
DAQ TRIO: Mo Saoirse (7.30 Naas), Haziyna (8.00 Naas) and Vastitas (8.30 Naas)
