Naas Monday Racing Tips and Preview
Naas Monday Racing Tips by Dave Stevos
Coastal Tiep ran an absolute stinker in the Ulster National. He was prominent early, lost his position steadily and was tailed off when pulled up. Maybe he hated the ground, or maybe he just wasn’t in the mood. I am convinced he has a race in him off his current mark, who knows when it will be given the current situation. Maybe the Crawfords had this race earmarked as a prep for another crack at Aintree. Irish racing flies the flag again on Monday with a more than decent card at Naas. Dave Stevos has had a look at the three big races, check out his Naas Monday racing tips below…
Naas Monday Racing Tips: 3.30 – Madrid Handicap (3yo+)
The flat is finally back, in Ireland at least, and it has only been delayed a day from when it was due to start. The first big handicap of the season is the Madrid and 14 will go to post. The one I like in this at double figure odds (just about) is The King Of Kells. By the promising young sire Tough As Nails, this fella did nothing but improve at the back end of last season.
He won nicely at the Curragh (6.5f sft) on his last turf start, making all for a cosy victory off 62. Andrew Slattery claimed 5lb that day too. So, he was effectively 12lb higher when beating a decent yardstick in Enchanted One at Dundalk off 69. On his seasonal return, most likely a warm up for this, he was 1L behind the 92 rated Dark Vader (conceding 4lb) so off a mark of 86 he still looks well handicapped.
The Mulvany yard also run In From The Cold, another horse with lots of ability. He is a previous course and distance winner (off 72 hvy) but he lacks a recent run. The fact that Gary Carroll (who would likely have the pick) is unable to do the weight on him muddies the waters somewhat too. However, with a prep run under his belt The King Of Kells is marginally preferred at odds of 7/1. In From The Cold might be worth a small saver too for the yard that landed the Lincoln at this track with On The Go Again in 2018.
NAAS MONDAY TIPS: THE KING OF KELLS E/W @ 7/1 NB
Naas Monday Racing Tips: 4.00 – Devoy Stakes (Listed)
The first pattern race of the season in Ireland (and the UK) is the Listed Devoy Stakes. For 4yos that have yet to win a G1 or G3, this is a fascinating race. Sir Dragonet, who we were on when he hacked up at Chester, is odds on for Ballydoyle. His form is the best in this 10f contest by far. However, Aidan O’Brien’s runners tend to need their first outing. Sir Dragonet is probably best over further too, so the percentage call is to take him on.
Brogue was very impressive when winning on debut over this trip on debut at Cork last May. That form looks extremely strong but today’s ground is an unknown. His long absence raises question marks too. One horse that is proven over course and distance and who is guaranteed to like the ground is Halimi. Trained by Jim Bolger, this son of Teofilo won easy on his last visit to Naas in a decent handicap off 88 (10f sft/hvy).
The ground is unlikely to be as testing this afternoon, but this fella will be fine once there is a bit of cut. The fact that he has not yet been gelded suggests that his trainer rates him pretty highly. His dam is a half sister to Cape Cross so if he improves enough this year he has the pedigree to go to stud. With doubts about the trip for Sir Dragonet and the ground for Brogue, Halimi is the e/w pick at 10/1.
NAAS MONDAY RACING TIPS: HALIMI E/W @ 10/1 NAP
Naas Monday Preview: 4.30 – Park Express Stakes (Group 3)
Last, but not least, we have the Group 3 Park Express Stakes. An 8f furlong contest for 3yo+, Aidan O’Brien has won it just once since 2003. That does not bode well for the 2nd fav Blissful, but given the situation with Coronavirus perhaps the Ballydoyle horses will be more forward this year. However, the one I like at a monster price is Annie Fior.
This mare improved no end last season, starting off at 60 and ending up rated 98. She was well beat on her last start at Dundalk back in January but she should be much more at home back on the grass. She has won on soft and yielding to soft so she should be okay on today’s ground. The two Aidan O’Brien 3yos clearly have potential and they get a lot of weight from our selection. However, this early in the season it can often pay to take on younger horses in races of this nature.
Only one 3yo has scored in the last five renewals, Queen Blossom for Paddy Prendergast. The main O’Brien hope is Blissful and he has stated that he is very worried about the ground for her. I think of those at shorter prices, Kiss For A Jewel is very interesting. However, Annie Fior outran her odds on more than one occasion in hot company last season. She should handle the ground and at odds of 50/1 she looks worth chancing each way.
