Weekend preview: Appreciate It on track for Thurles repeat
Appreciate It will be expected to repeat last year’s win in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase in Thurles tomorrow. Picture: Healy Racing
Appreciate It will be expected to repeat last year’s win in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase in Thurles tomorrow.
The 12-year-old, who outpointed stable-companion Classic Getaway twelve months ago, retains plenty of his ability and, one of four runners for Willie Mullins in a field of five, should successfully concede weight to his rivals.
Appreciate It has raced only once this season, when chasing home Affordale Fury in a similar-conditions event, over a longer trip, on this track in late November.
That was a rock-solid effort by the Jeremy gelding, who failed by less than five lengths to concede 10lb. to the subsequent Savills Chase victor.
Last season, Appreciate It had two runs before landing this prize. He then fell at the fence before ‘Bechers’ on the second circuit of the Aintree Grand National.
And he rounded off his campaign with a creditable second to stable-companion Gaelic Warrior at Sandown in April, with Gentleman De Mee, below par in two outings this term, back in fourth.
Although last of three behind Iroko on his seasonal bow over in Ascot, another Closutton contender James Du Berlais might give Appreciate It most to do.
Willie Mullins should also take the Grade 2 Carey Glass Mares Novice Chase with dual Grade 1 hurdler scorer Jade De Grugy.
A beaten favourite on her two chase starts, this seven-year-old did little wrong when outpointed by the very useful The big Westerner in the Grade 2 ‘Dawn Run’ at Limerick over Christmas and appears to have a straight-forward task here.
And the Cian Collins-trained Jazzy Matty, on course for a repeat bid in the ‘Grand Annual’ at Cheltenham, might take advantage of his lower hurdle mark in the Most Stylish Racegoers Handicap Hurdle.
Today’s action is in Navan where Slade Steel, winner of the ‘Supreme’ at Cheltenham in 2024, should open his chasing account in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase.
Runner-up in three of his four chase starts, including a solid effort against subsequent ‘Brown Advisory’ winner Lecky Watson in Naas, the eight-year-old had Wingmen (reopposes) ten lengths behind when chasing home Predators Gold on this track on his penultimate start.
And he was poised to challenge when brought down four out in the race won by Argento Boy at Punchestown last time.
With the season’s leading rider Darragh O’Keeffe on board, Slade Steel should make up for lost time here.
And, despite dropping in trip, impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Lazare De Star will be expected to follow-up in the opening Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle.
12.10. Lazare De Star (n.b.)
12.45. Court Compliance
1.20. The Nagger Reidy
1.50. Johnny Cakes
2.25. Slade Steel (Nap)
3.00. Brown Boots
3.35. Low Kick
12.10. Fierce Handay
12.45. He Can’t Dance
1.20. Son Of Anarchy
1.50. Teds Corner
2.25. Wingmen
3.00. Milanaway
3.35. The Irish Avatar
12.40. Forty Coats (n.b.)
1.10. Espresso Milan
1.40. Jazzy Matty
2.15. Jade De Grugy
2.50. Rising Dust
3.25. Appreciate It (Nap)
3.55. Willitgoahead
12.40. Ifallgoeswell
1.10. Sept Etoiles
1.40. Eachtotheirown
2.15. Tareze
2.50. Battle Of Mirbat
3.25. James Du Berlais
3.55. Lifetime Ambition
