Andrew’s Naas: Race by race betting guide

Today marks the last Irish meeting before the Cheltenham Festival. Who will head over to Cheltenham full of confidence after today, and who will be hoping for more luck next week?

Naas 2:10 Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Multiples All Shops” Maiden Hurdle – 2m3½f (5yo+)

There may be 25 runners declared for here, but don’t let fool you into thinking this is a competitive race. Many will be having their first experience over hurdles, and some will not want to get involved in the finish to protect future handicap marks. So all we have to do is find the horses that will be out there to win.

If Redemption Day was to sort out his jumping issues, he might not find an easier opportunity to get off the mark over hurdles here, but that is a big if.

Kainsbourg got a typical ‘I’m going for a handicap’ ride when 2nd to Ethical Diamond at Punchestown, and he may be one to row in with when he is targeted at a handicap hurdle. So the one who it may be best left up to is COME WALK WITH ME.

The Edward Cawley six-year-old has run creditably in his three starts over hurdles, and the form of his latest 2nd place finish is working out quite well. The winner, Honesty Policy, has since gone on to win once again, and the 3rd was narrowly denied on his next start.

Further improvement from Come Walk With Me should have him bang there once again.

• Selection: Come Walk With Me
• Danger: Kainsbourg

Bet on Come Walk With Me with Betfred

Naas 2:40 Grade 3 Bar One Racing “100% Acca Boosts On Self-Service Bet Terminals” Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle – 2m (4yo+)

The classy Belloccio is having his first run since finishing 5th in the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in December, and though he has won when fresh, even he may find it hard to contain the English raider PLEASINGTON.

The Olly Murphy-trained seven-year-old is two from three over hurdles and has put in two taking displays: once when held up off the pace and once when making the running. For all his double-digit winning margins, Pleasington still looks raw. There is likely a lot more improvement from him, and with that, he can prove hard to beat.

• Selection: Pleasington
• Danger: Belloccio

Bet on Pleasington with SBK

Naas 3:10 Bar One Racing “Price Boosts On The Favourite In Every Race At Cheltenham” Handicap Hurdle- 2m (0-100)

This race has the feel of a race where anything can happen. Bayou Belle has been knocking on the door of late, but she is 0/15 over hurdles and 0/33 overall.

Star Officall has been holding his form well and has an obvious chance. But a chance is taken that HIGH HONOUR can back up his second at Leopardstown seven days ago one place better.

That was his first sign of noteworthy form since his win in August of last year, and now that he has regained some confidence, he can run well once again.

• Selection: High Honour
• Danger: Star Offical

Bet on High Honour with talkSPORT BET

Naas 3:40 Bar One Racing “Extra Place Races At The Cheltenham Festival” Handicap Hurdle – 2m3½f (4yo+)

Uhavemeinstitches won her maiden well last time out but did show signs of temperament when flashing her tail when asked for a full effort. Given her connections, she is respected on her handicap debut, and the same can be said for Don’t Tell Jack.

Dreal Deal would be interesting if he is ready to go after a 217-day break, but DUKE OF LEGGAGH is in the form of his life and comes here in search of a hat-trick after an 8-length win at this track over 2m.

He has been hit with a 10 lb rise in the weights for that win, but based on how he hit the line last time out, there is much optimism that this fast-improving five-year-old can eke out more improvement for the step back up in trip.

• Selection: Duke Of Leggagh
• Danger: Dont Tell Jack

Bet on Duke Of Leggagh with bet365

Naas 4:12 Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Overnight Prices” Beginners Chase – 2m4f (5yo+)

Olympic Man was sent off a short-price favourite at Navan last time out, but his jumping frailties came to the fore once again. If he is to have any chance here, he will need to negate any jumping frailties.

Built By Ballymore looks like a horse whose future lies in a handicap not too far down the road, and the same applies to Sir Argus.

Henry de Bromheads runs two here where siding with MAHONS WAY could ultimately pay. He is a very lightly raced seven-year-old who is capable of mixing it at this level. On his chase debut, it was a matter of getting him good experience, and now that Henry’s stable seems to be hitting form once again, Mahon’s Way can put up a bold display here.

• Selection: Mahons Way
• Danger: Olympic Man

Bet on Mahons Way with Paddy Power

Naas 4:45 Listed Bar One Racing Leinster National Handicap Chase – 3m1f (5yo+)

Pandy Boy has always threatened to win a staying chase like this, but he hasn’t been in the winner’s enclosure since May 2022, and given his recent runs, it’s hard to see that trend changing here.

Bushmans Pass comes here on a retrieval mission after failing to run his race when sent off the 13/2 favourite for the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last month, but if he can bounce back to form, he can be a leading player.

A chance is taken with the 13-year-old, ANY SECOND NOW.

You only have to go back to April of last year to see this classy chaser finish 2nd in the Irish Grand National off just a 1 lb higher mark. He made a satisfactory seasonal return when finishing 4th to Sa Majeste at Fairyhouse, and if this teenager can run to his Irish Grand National form, he could still be hard to contain in a race that lacks strength and depth.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Hartur d’Arc should put up the most significant resistance.

• Selection: Any Second Now
• Danger: Hartur d’Arc

Bet on Any Second Now with Betfred

Naas 5:20 Bar One Racing “Bet 10 Euros Get 50 Euros Sign Up Offer” Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race – 2m (4yo+)

A tight nit bumper to close the card where APPLES JANE, daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Apples Jade, can make it second time lucky.

She showed a bit of greenness in the closing stages of her debut, but she knuckled down well to finish a close 2nd to Eternal Echo, who has since gone on to place next time out.

Apples Jane should have learned a lot from that experience and be able to take advantage of her weight concession here.

The Willie Mullins-trained Blue Velvet looks the biggest danger.

• Selection: Apples Jane
• Danger: Blue Velvet

Bet on Apples Jane with SBK

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