THE IRISH INSIDER

14:30 Naas

The bottom weight Krabat was well-supported when landing a weak affair at Clonmel ten days ago but has a lovely racing weight, with the ground and trip to suit. The likeable Street Value won easily on handicap chase debut recently and while he’s 11 pounds higher in the weights today, he should be on the premises.

Ballyshannon Rose brings arguably the best form into the race having won a Grade 2 last month. She has to give plenty of weight to some rivals on this her handicap debut but has done very little wrong to date. However, I’ll side with King Alex who represents the red-ht Barry Connell team who are operating at a 60% strike rate at present. He was a good winner at Limerick when last seen and there could be more improvement to come from him.

KING ALEX (WIN)

15:30 Naas

A poor renewal for this Grade 2 novice event, with just six horses, declared and two of them shouldn’t even be in the race, which leaves us with just four contenders in reality. It’s unlikely that Ha D'or will take up his Supreme Hurdle entry given the strength of that race but he’s obviously highly-regard in Clousutton. The free-going type was placed in a Grade 2 hurdle in December 2020 and while beaten on reappearance this season, he did win his maiden last time. He needs to settle better but has the ability to feature.

Flame Bearer made all to win easily at Fairyhouse when last seen and even though he was beaten a long way behind Dysart Dynamo, that was his seasonal reappearance and seems to be on an upward curve. Haiou took his maiden in great style at Punchestown last month, with the runner-up and fourth-placed horse both winning next time, so holds obvious claims. Although, it’s the course and distance winner Meet And Greet who is my idea of the winner. Oliver McKiernan’s charge has strong bumper form to his name including behind the sidelined Blazing Khal on this sort of ground. He got off the mark at the third attempt over timber here earlier in the month and there’s lots more to come from him.

MEET AND GREET (WIN)

written by Peter Keogh