Unaccompanied can come home alone
She was the best juvenile in Ireland last season, emphasising the point with a cracking effort when second behind Zarkandar in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
The selection reappeared on the flat at Leopardstown last Sunday and her performance offered promise of much better to come.
She made most of the running, before wilting inside the furlong pole and finishing two lengths adrift of Tobar Na Gaoise. The daughter of Danehill Dancer is bound to strip all the better for the outing and has to get a reasonably confident vote.
Paul Townend partners Unaccompanied and can also guide Quel Esprit to success in the Become A Naas Annual Member Chase.
Impressive first time over fences at Limerick, he then hit the deck three times in-a-row, but remains a promising talent.
John Kiely’s Reizovic is the one to be on in the 25-runner naasracecourse.com Maiden Hurdle, having very much caught the eye when third to Dylan Ross at Fairyhouse and runner-up behind Make A Track at Punchestown.
Shinrock Paddy was light enough in the market on his debut over fences at Punchestown — fifth to Lucky William — and gets the nod in the Tipper Road Beginners Chase.
At Navan tomorrow Noel Meade’s Dylan Ross can land the nap in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle. A dual bumper winner, he made a smooth start over jumps when easily beating Savello and Reizovic at Fairyhouse. A lot more is required of Dylan Ross now, but he looks a good sort in the making and can prove equal to the task.
The high-class Big Zeb starts off in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase, having ended last season by beating Sizing Europe at Punchestown.
He has 11lbs in hand of Noble Prince at the weights so, in theory at least, it should be relatively straightforward. But Noble Prince is a dangerous opponent, rapidly on the upgrade, and is given preference with a major fitness advantage, having two recent spins under his belt.
The other Grade 2 on the card, the Lismullen Hurdle, may go the way of Voler La Vedette. This classy mare found three miles further than she wanted to travel when fourth to Quevega at Punchestown in May.
At Limerick tomorrow Robert Tyner’s Whatwillwecallher, the winner of three bumpers, should make the perfect start over jumps in the Winter Wonderland Maiden Hurdle.
Jessica Harrington’s Jenari, surprisingly beaten by Spring Heeled at Galway, can set the record straight in the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.