Down in class Tasman set to resume winning ways
Dermot Weld’s Tasman is a hopeful nap choice to defy top weight in the Panoramic Restaurant Novice Hurdle at Naas tomorrow.
He does have to overcome an absence of 112 days, but fitness is never a worry as far as inmates from this yard are concerned.
After landing ordinary events at Listowel and Cork, Tasman stepped way up in class in a Grade Three at Navan in November.
He ran an absolute blinder, finishing three and a half lengths and a head third behind Sweet Kiln and Petertheknot. This stiff two miles should prove ideal and if the market speaks in his favour then, perhaps, Tasman will prove one of the better wagers over the next two days.
Ruby Walsh partners Tasman and he can team up with Davenport Milenium to take the Kilcock Novice Chase.
A decent sort when on song, the nine year-old appeared to be travelling reasonably well on his debut over fences at Navan a week ago when parting company with his rider four out in the contest won by Carroll Encore.
Walsh also has prospects on Graduand, mildly unlucky when beaten in a bumper on this track last time, in the three mile Lakelands Maiden Hurdle.
Joint Agreement, who seemed not to stay three miles when sixth behind Theatre Lane at Fairyhouse, gets the nod in the Naas Handicap Hurdle.
At Downpatrick this afternoon Django, who certainly won’t make anyone rich, is the bet of the day in the Bar-One Racing Aertel Pages Maiden Hurdle.
He takes a big drop in class, compared to his latest outing at Punchestown. Jessica Harrington’s six-year-old was beaten two and a half lengths by Teeming Rain and that form got a major boost when Charlie Swan’s charge landed a Grade Three at Thurles on Thursday.
GVA Ireland, if on a going day, can provide the solution to the Bar-One racing At Cheltenham EBF Novice Chase.
He made no show when ninth behind Lotomore Lad Navan last Saturday, but previously battled on strongly to collar Dublin Hunter at Punchestown.
Pay It Forward was third, beaten three and a half lengths, and is an obvious worry, reopposing on 5lbs more favourable terms.
