Naas tips: Step up in trip should suit Coillte Aris

Red Striker has strong claims in the Daragh Fitzpatrick Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024 - 08:15

Tommy Lyons

Tuesday’s action, of the National Hunt variety, is in Naas and Coillte Aris can take the Pat O’Hare Bookmakers Mares’ Handicap Hurdle for Sonny Carey and Paul Townend.

A well-backed 3-1 favourite to make a winning start for her current trainer, she had to settle for sixth place. Off for almost three months prior to her next outing, she ran a fine race to finish fourth behind Ernie From Nurney, and that effort, just 12 days ago, should have put her spot-on for this run.

She has a little room for improvement in the jumping department, but this longer trip is a positive and she can take this at the expense of the consistent Shana Cloon and Rebel Cowgirl.

Dr Eggman will likely be quite a short price to get off the mark over obstacles in the Colm White Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle but should get the job done this time. Winner of a bumper at the third time of asking, he made his hurdling debut in December and finished a fine third behind subsequent Grade One winner Caldwell Potter, with the now 127-rated Gorgeous Tom in second place.

He then went to Navan for another maiden hurdle and this time he found only the smart My Trump Card too good, going down by half a length. On the back of those two good efforts, he was sent off a 2-5 chance to make it third time lucky over timber but successfully conceding 15lbs to point-to-point winner and track debutant Majestic Force proved beyond him.

There was no shame in that effort, and he should find this a little easier. With headgear applied for the first time, he can make the most of what looks like a very good opportunity. Born Braver is an interesting rival. Winner of two point-to-points, he finished runner-up to Argento Boy on his track debut, in a bumper, and then filled the same spot behind Kinturk Kalinisi on his hurdling debut. Any improvement on that would make him a leading player once more.

Red Striker has strong claims in the Daragh Fitzpatrick Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle. Last time out, the nine-year-old, who was having his second run for Jimmy Barcoe, finished a fine third behind Ernie From Nurney in the race in which Coillte Aris finished fourth. That was a nice step forward from his first start for the trainer and if he runs to a similar level here, he will go very close. He is preferred to last-time-out winner Answering.

NAAS

Selections

1:30 Omniscient

2:05 Red Striker (NB)

2:40 Dr Eggman

3:15 Workforadime

3:50 Coillte Aris (Nap)

4:25 The Niffler

5:00 Blue Mosque

Next best

1:30 Whatsanotheryear

2:05 Answering