Colonel Braxton can pull rank on Beef Or Salmon
Of course it demands a leap of faith to see the selection reversing Ericsson Christmas placings on this track with Michael Hourigan’s exciting youngster but, at their respective prices, is worth risking.
Cashmans yesterday tightened Beef Or Salmon to 5-4 and Paddy Power were even shorter at 6-5. Paddy Power were offering 7-2 Colonel Braxton and that may be the value.
Beef Or Salmon slammed Colonel Braxton by six lengths last time and, in theory, the latter shouldn’t be able to beat his rival on just 5lbs better terms.
But Colonel Braxton will strip a lot fitter now and has since emphasised his well-being by scoring over a totally inadequate two miles and a furlong at Fairyhouse.
Harbour Pilot was only a short head adrift of Colonel Braxton in the Ericsson and if blinkers galvanise him he should run a big race.
Should the ground continue to dry out then Florida Pearl, successful three times in the Hennessy, would have to be regarded as the dark horse of the contest.
Beef Or Salmon is the logical choice, but I expect a huge run from Colonel Braxton and believe, at worst, he will finish much closer to the favourite on this occasion!
The brilliant Solerina gets the nap to beat Hardy Eustace in the Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle.
She has produced a series of smashing, front-running efforts and is holding her form in fine style.
Hardy Eustace too has done everything asked of him and is unbeaten in three races over flights, but Solerina can outstay him, on the way to possible Chelenham glory.
Punters will have to trade at cramped odds about Le Coudray in the Dr P J Moriarty Chase, but he is hard to oppose.
Considering the trip, two miles and a furlong, was short of his best he turned in a good display to beat Bust Out half a length at Leopardstown last time.
The opening Cashmans’ Bookmakers Spring Juvenile Hurdle is very tricky, but Michael O’Brien’s Newlands Gold does look the one to beat.
His shrewd handler has a high opinion of the horse and there was plenty to like about the manner in which Newlands Gold scampered to an eight lengths success in a moderate event at Naas last month.
You won’t get a better race of its kind than the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase, which brings together Sheltering, Joe Blake and Dorans Pride.
Preference is for Sheltering, who beat subsequent winner, The Wipper, by 20 lengths at Punchestown.
Naas today has a nightmare appearance for punters.
However, whatever beats Willie John Daly should land the Bumper.
The six-year-old showed he’s progressing nicely when coping with Mitchelstown to the tune of four lengths, it was 12 lengths back to the third, on this track last time.
The smooth manner in which Jamie Codd’s mount travelled through that event would indicate stepping back three furlongs in distance shouldn’t be a major concern!
