Nickname makes plenty of appeal
The five-year-old has won five of his six races this season, but had to miss Cheltenham, after Martin Brassil walked the course and concluded the ground was too fast for his charge.
It was a very brave decision on the part of Brassil, because the inclination to allow his in-form eight-year-old to take part must have been almost overwhelming.
The trainer’s professionalism was admirable and he can have his reward now. Nickname has already shown he is a better horse than main rivals, Watson Lake and Central House, and arrives on the back of a smooth victory at Naas last month.
The two and half miles shouldn’t be a problem, he’s won over further, and only should the selection perform below the standard we have come to expect can one envisage him meeting defeat.
Walsh teams up with Heavenly Blues, trained by his father, Ted, in the Russell Restaurant Novice Hurdle and the ex-German horse is the nap choice.
He has shown steady improvement in three outings over flights, winning his maiden by a wide margin at the second time of asking at Naas.
Subsequent events have shown that to be a very moderate contest, but Heavenly Blues then stepped up in class to finish a close third to Heron’s Flight and Earth Magic, also at Naas.
The Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Hurdle is tricky, but a little on Aitmatov may not miss the target by too much!
He appears to stay really well and emerged with credit last time when going down by a head to the tough Kazal at Leopardstown.
Khetaam, who beat Priests Leap and Ballytrim, they have both scored in the the meantime, at Gowan Park, has been found another suitable opportunity in the Irish Day At Navan Racecourse Novice Chase.
At Downpatrick tomorrow, Care And Share gets a hopeful nap in the Bet At Toals On-Course SP Shop Maiden Hurdle.
The better the surface the more confident we can be regarding his prospects. Christy Roche’s charge couldn’t handle the ground when a well beaten favourite on this track back in November and may be seen in a more favourable light now.
The new flat campaign gets away at the Curragh tomorrow. There is little or nothing to go on and, for those who cannot resist, then wagers should surely be kept to a minimum.
Jim Bolger’s Creachadoir could be the answer to the Ladbrokes’ Poker EBF Maiden. The King’s Best colt was last seen at headquarters in early July when fourth to Holy Roman Emperor in the Group 2 Railway Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s Abraham Lincoln is the one to beat in the Ladbrokes 1800777888 Maiden. The son of Danehill finished a head second, it was nine lengths back to the third, to Sadeek at York in May. Sadeek took a Listed event at Epsom next time.
Bawaader, who goes well fresh and on a heavy surface, could be the solution to the ladbrokes.com Irish Lincoln. He took this a year ago by eight lengths and a rise of 15lbs is understandable.
