Naahil poised to recoup losses
He was a costly failure on this track last month, but you would have to fancy him now to redress the balance - with interest.
Naahil went off the 5-4 favourite then, from 6-4, but caught a real tartar in the shape of the Michael Halford trained Woods.
That winner didn’t have a whole lot to recommend him, but was backed from 10-1 to 7’s and was in receipt of 12lbs. There was a neck between them at the line and, encouragingly, it was a further eight lengths back to the third.
Tom Hogan’s Green Magical should be difficult to beat in the Ballee Novice Handicap Hurdle. She was a desperately unlucky loser at Kilbeggan a week ago. The six-year-old was cantering all over eventual winner, Treize Mars, on the approach to the final flight. But Green Magical crashed into the obstacle and her chance was gone, as she went down by half a length. The handicapper has raised Hogan’s mare by 3lbs but that doesn’t appear overly harsh.
The frustrating Aberdeenshire may be capable of keeping Frances Crowley’s excellent run going in the Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle. He finished a well beaten fourth behind Wouldn’t You Agree at Galway, and that form gives him a marginal edge in this moderate event.
