Naahil set to redress balance
A useful sort on the flat, he was quietly fancied to get off the mark over flights at Ballybrit.
But nothing went right for him on the day. The soft ground was far from ideal, but any hope of overcoming that went at the first obstacle.
Naahil was badly hampered and, effectively, was out of the contest. He eventually finished fifth behind Puck Out, but was beaten a massive 31 lengths.
The four-year-old has a future at this game and, with conditions more to his liking and weak opposition, he has to get the nap.
Weld can complete a double with the frustrating Beyond The Pole in the Eastwood Bookmakers’ Race.
He’s not for the faint-hearted, but certainly has the ability to get through a contest such as this.
Indeed, Beyond The Pole performed with plenty credit last time at Leopardstown when humping 10-0 into a creditable fourth placing behind the 25lbs receiving Mountain Star.
Noel Meade’s Kariyadan may be worth chancing in the stamina-sapping Heart Of Down Ulster Cesarewitch.
He looked very one-paced when failing to land a gamble when third over hurdles behind Kilcarrig House at Tipperary on Thursday. Two and a quarter miles on the level may be just what the doctor ordered!
Tony McCoy will continue his record bid with six rides at Newton Abbot today.
He is out to break Richard Dunwoody’s all-time tally of 1,699 winners over jumps in Britain and he is now just three short of that total.
McCoy kicks off the day riding Rakaposhi Lass for boss Martin Pipe in the Pot Black ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle.
He will then partner Sweet Senorita in the Tony Gale Birthday & Retirement Celebration Claiming Hurdle and Versicium in the Mandrake Associates Handicap Chase.
McCoy is set to ride the Pipe-trained Lunar Crystal in the Summer Jumping Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Championship Final and all of these runner hold favourites chance.
McCoy also picks up a ride in the feature race of the day at the west country track, the Summer Jumping Novices’ Handicap Chase Final, in which he rides Kandy Four for Paul Nicholls and he has also picked up the mount on Mother Says in the concluding Bumper.
Downpatrick
Selections
2.30 Naahil (nap)
3.00 Little Ora
3.30 Noeleen’s Choice
4.00 Beyond The Pole
4.30 Kariyadan
5.00 Amiastar
5.30 In House Appraisal
Next Best
2.30 Lawlor
3.00 Shabob
3.30 Rose Whisper
4.00 Tempter
4.30 Dariole
5.00 Ginger Wine
5.30 Carhue Wonder
DOUBLE: Naahil & Beyond The Pole
