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14:00 Market Rasen
We star the Sunday Weekender with a trip to Market Rasen and a two mile novice hurdle event. Wilberdragon is the current market leader for Charlie Longsdon and Noel Fehily. He won easily last time out at Bangor in a weaker event plus has some good form behind Jolly Cracked It. However he has a penalty to carry here and this novice events are notoriously difficult to do the same, plus in the selection we have an unexposed type who will take plenty of beating.
The selection is Relic Rock of Brian Ellison. Currently joint favourite, this gelding has a top class profile already at this young age. His recent defeat to Glingerburn has been well and truly franked with that horse going on to beat Hawk High and win a grade two hurdle in his defeat of Bristol De Mai.
As a bumper horse he defeated Fletchers Flyer and narrowly lost to Ballybolley and Zeroshadesofgrey. With top jock booked and in receipt of weight I can’t really see any other result then a win for Relic Rock.
Relic Rock (WIN)
14:55 Naas
Over to the Kildare track for the final two races, Golantilla was a top class bumper horse a couple of years ago and has belatedly transferred that form over hurdles picking up a maiden hurdle and finishing third in a grade one behind Sizing John and Sub lieutenant (subsequent grade two winner). He was close up that day and benefits from first time headgear and tongue tie. This very well regarded horse should run his race however I have my suspicions about his attitude and will pass.
Phil’s Magic and Net D’ecosse both step out of maiden company after wins last time for Sandra Hughes, Phils Magic looks the better of these and has the more scope to improve. But will need to step up on previous runs.
Henry Higgins is rated to go close however his form book may flatter him and may just be below this level. The selection is Identity Thief who was unbeaten until pulling up in the Deloitte Novice hurdle. He was never travelling that day and given the impression he left previously I’m willing to forgive him that run. On the back of his maiden win and a good run in Leopardstown, I would have fully expected to go onto Cheltenham. However this drop in grade should suit and he should go close.
Identity Thief (WIN)
15:30 Naas
We finish the day with a grade three novice chase and Noble Emperor is the favourite. Barry Geraghty takes the ride and given his previous run behind Very Wood, surely has a good chance however his form before that is not really working out well. Rule The Worlds owner and jockey won this race last year with Bright New Dawn and I think this is a great opportunity for him to get his head in front for the first time over fences. He was rightly well beaten the last twice, but while this is a grade three it looks a great opportunity to get his head in front.
This is a competitive little field that many cannot be ruled out. Lots Of Memories and Fine Rightly are well exposed however are both very consistent types.
Rule The World (WIN)