Racing Tips – Top Tipster Eamonn Hames’ best horse racing selections for Saturday, February 25 at Fairyhouse and Sunday, February 26 at Naas
There's racing from Fairyhouse on Saturday while Eamonn Hames also picks out his best bets for Sunday's meeting at Naas
FAIRYHOUSE SATURDAY TIPS
1.45
It was a little disappointing to see LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY lose his unbeaten record over Christmas, however he has to be the one to beat here by whatever criteria you choose to evaluate his chances.
The main threat will be Gordon Elliott's filly Dinaria Des Obeaux in receipt of a stone in weight from Joseph O'Brien's gelding, but on a strict line of form through their Graded efforts this year, she has it all to do to get the better of him.
Both have taken on the same form horses in their recent outings, but while Dinaria Des Obeaux has been beaten by upwards of seven lengths by Bapaume and Mega Fortune, Landofhopeandglory has beaten both of those rivals already this season.
A high class sort on the level and one who has taken really well to hurdling, he should be more than good enough to defy conditions here and go on to be the main challenger to Defi Du Seuil in the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival.
These two really should be the first two home, but if there is one capable of stepping up and spoiling the party it has to be Prospectus. Gavin Cromwell's charge is two from three over timber so far and he responded really well to pressure when winning over this course and distance in January.
2.55
PRESENTING PERCY has put in some sterling efforts in defeat over three miles the last twice and this drop back in trip could be just what is needed to get him back in the winning groove.
It is not surprising to see Pat Kelly opt for the first time tongue-strap given how strongly he travels in his races and that should be a big help here.
This is hardly a gimme with so many potentially classy types in opposition, but Davy Russell's mount looks a real talent for the future and he should take this in style.
Gordon Elliott's pair head the weights, but neither are expected to land a blow here.
His Carrig Cathal is definitely one to follow in handicaps, but these conditions will not be to his liking and Jeannot De Nonant is a bit of an unknown with only the one run in Ireland to go by. Sure Reef could be lurking on a very lenient mark, but his recent form tempers enthusiasm in a competitive race like this and Thebarrowman is best watched until he is sent over the larger obstacles.
That leaves the J P McManus owned That's A Wrap as the one likeliest to push the selection. Thomas Mullins' six-year-old won three on the bounce before an unfortunate sixth in a messily run race at Leopardstown.
He will have no problems with the extra half mile here and the handicapper may still not have his measure.
3.30
It has been a while since this race has had a bearing on the Grand National, but this years renewal sees two fascinating representatives for Aintree face off from the powerhouse yards of Mullins and Meade.
Willie Mullins' representative Pleasant Company ran well for a long way when finishing fourth in the Thyestes on his only run this season and there should be loads of progression to come from that with the big one in mind, but it is Noel Meade's WOUNDED WARRIOR that has to be the selection here.
The Gigginstown eight-year-old has been highly tried in the last few seasons, competing almost exclusively in Graded company, but that could be a blessing in disguise as it means that he is now aimed towards marathon races after his failures at the top level.
A big imposing type that was third in an RSA chase a few seasons ago, Wounded Warrior absolutely thrashed last year's Aintree hero Rule The World in a Grade 2 at Naas in 2015 and he has to have a big chance here after staying on with great promise himself in the Thyestes under hands and heels riding.
Lord Windermere would prefer better ground, My Murphy is woefully out of form and Baie Des Iles could be hard to peg back here if allowed to set her own tempo like she did at Punchestown, but this should really boil down to a clash between the Mullins and Meade representatives.
FAIRYHOUSE TIPS - SATURDAY
NAAS SUNDAY TIPS
3.20
PEOPLES PARK found a valuable Fairyhouse handicap coming too soon after his Paddy Power flop over Christmas and he should be capable of far better now freshened up by Tom Taaffe.
The eight-year-old has been passed over by both Barry Geraghty and Mark Walsh in favour of better fancied mounts, but Jody McGarvey is most certainly not a third choice jockey and his quiet style will definitely bring out the best in JP McManus' so called third string.
The JP McManus first and second strings, Edwulf and A Great View, would be big players here if not for the fact that this is a very quick turnaround for Barry Geraghty's mount after his fall in the Ten Up Novice Chase and that Mark Walsh's ride really does need to brush up his jumping to have any chance.
Catalaunian Fields never gave up at Fairyhouse the last day, Joxer is an interesting handicap debutant and Keppols Queen is long overdue a win, but the main danger has to be Velocity Boy after winning with so much authority at Punchestown, although Space Cadet is certainly capable of better than last time and will be all the better for having Davy Russell back aboard.
3.50
PEACE NEWS was thought of as one of the best prospects for the season after his fluent maiden win at Cork, however his subsequent efforts have been hugely disappointing and he is now on a recovery mission of sorts.
It is rare though that a trainer of the calibre of Henry De Bromhead could be so wrong and the suspicion is that his five-year-old could still be something special and may in fact have put in those poor efforts because of the ground.
If he is a mudlark, then the conditions here at Naas should see him put his best foot forward and the first time cheekpieces will certainly help with his jumping.
The unbeaten Any Second Now looked a real top-notcher when winning the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown and although connections have opted to skip the Cheltenham Festival this year, that could pay dividends in the long run. Ted Walsh rates this fellow very highly and even though he has to give weight away to all, he will give the selection the test he needs.
The ultra consistent Joey Sasa will pick up the pieces if the main protagonists fail to fire, but the potential fly in the ointment is the troublesome Labaik. Gordon Elliott's six-year-old has all the talent, but has all the quirks to match. He comes with plenty of risks, but if consenting to start then he could be the best of these by some way.
4.20
JUST CAMERON makes the long journey over from the UK and Micky Hammond's 10-year-old has the form to make the trip worthwhile if running to anywhere near his best.
He bounced back to form when winning easily at Wetherby the last day and his bold jumping style should see him at his best in the mud here at Naas.
Alisier D'Irlande has been out of sorts this season, but on his day he will make anything go. It would be pleasing to see him bounce back here, however this track is unlikely to suit his free-going style.
Clarcam ran a stormer when unable to hold off the well fancied Ballycasey at Gowran Park last week and Pairofbrowneyes should run well here before a shot at the Grand Annual, but a value pick if the selection doesn't float your boat is Westerners Son.
Dermot McLoughlin's nine-year-old has ran well almost every time he has been fitted with blinkers and with them equipped here, he should run above himself once again.
