Rathlin looks another for in-form Russell
The former pointer was strongly supported in the market on his debut over flights at Clonmel last month and the wagers seemed to be in safe keeping for much of the journey.
The selection, however, got in tight to the last and was grabbed on the run in and beaten a length by Definite Class. The form looks reasonable, Definite Class went in again next time, even if it did take the intervention of the stewards, and Rathlin is entitled to strip a lot fitter.
The Tetratema Son Of The Tetrarch Maiden Hurdle is best left to Eddie Harty’s Princeton Plains, even if he has promised more than has been delivered thus far.
The five-year-old shaped as if there was plenty of scope for improvement when a close third behind O Fortuna and Fever Pitch at Fairyhouse.
That was a moderate contest, but this is all about quantity, rather than quality, and represents a decent opportunity.
At Naas tomorrow the pair to follow are Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Their Lambro is the nap choice in the Naas Racecourse On Facebook Maiden Hurdle.
Beaten a short head by Crash at Thurles, he is a horse with a lot of potential and is fancied to outclass this opposition.
The duo’s Cottrelsbooley is the one to beat in the www.naasracecourse.com Novice Hurdle. He was impressive when winning his maiden at Leopardstown at Christmas and then stepped into Grade 1 company in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, back at Leopardstown.
Cottrelsbooley simply wasn’t good enough to tackle that company, but ran well for a long way, before fading to take fifth behind Oscars Well. This is a substantially easier assignment.
A third Mullins-Townend possibility is Pozyc, off bottom weight, in the Naas Supporters’ Handicap Hurdle. Pozyc hasn’t been since finishing second on the flat to Endless Intrigue at Galway in July, but fitness is hardly a worry out of this yard and he might be a step ahead of the handicapper!
Tony Martin’s Montan can land the Naas Directors’ Plate Novice Chase. Beaten a length and three parts by the smart Saludos at Navan, he will be ideally suited by this extra half a mile.
