Racing Tips – Top Tipster Eamonn Hames’ best horse racing selections for Sunday, March 12
NAAS
2.10
There are plenty of lightly raced, promising types set to take their shot at this Listed prize, but the one to beat has to be the most experienced runner in the race, INDIAN MONSOON.
Charles Byrnes’ five-year-old took a while to get to grips with the hurdling game, but his Limerick third over Christmas hinted that success was only just around the corner and so it proved to be when he went on to destroy the Cheltenham Festival bound Veinard on his very next start at Cork.
He needs to bounce back from his unseat at Thurles the last day, but there looks to be no reason why he shouldn’t now he is dropped in class and he can take this in his stride for the Byrnes and Russell combination.
The prize money on offer here could be of the utmost importance come the end of the season, so you can be confident that both Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will have their representatives in top conditions for this, however the likeliest threat to the selection should come from either Joseph O’Brien’s Outspoken or the long absent Zaheer.
3.45
With three wins in the last four renewals it is no surprise to see Gigginstown mob-handed in this Grade 3, but the only runner not running in their colours looks the way to go.
JP McManus’ OSCAR KNIGHT has developed into a promising chaser this season, winning twice from three starts before a career best third in the Paddy Power Chase over Christmas.
That Paddy Power run was outstanding and he was really unfortunate not to win having came from the rear to take the lead approaching the last.
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Thomas Mullins’ eight-year-old already boasts a clear victory over Ball D’Arc at Navan and although better ground would ideally suit, he has no problems with testing conditions and he can maintain his improvement here.
The aforementioned Ball D’Arc has been in fine form this season and he is the pick of Bryan Cooper, but with the burden of a penalty for his Grade 3 win at Navan, he could struggle to turnaround previous form with the selection.
Alamein impressed on his chase debut at Fairyhouse and he could have things his own way again here, but it is Gangster that is fancied to follow the selection home. Henry De Bromhead’s seven-year-old has ran with great credit over fences so far and the first time cheekpieces could bring about further improvement.
EAMONN HAMES' BEST BETS FOR NAAS
- 2.10 Indian Monsoon
- 2.40 Townshend
- 3.15 Chain Gang
- 3.45 Oscar Knight (nb)
- 4.20 Bosco Di Alco
- 4.50 Undressed (nap)
- 5.20 Wings Like Arion
4.50
This is a cracking renewal of the Leinster National given that the Spring festivals are fast approaching and there will be plenty keen on the chances of the likes of Bonny Kate, Sambremont and Space Cadet, but there are some talented individuals available at bigger prices and this could be the day that everything clicks for UNDRESSED to land a big one.
Michael Hourigan’s nine-year-old can still be a little novicey at times over his fences, but he has the right sort of profile for a race of this nature, stays all day and the booking of Dylan Robinson is a big plus.
He ran a shocker the last day at Punchestown and he must bounce back from that here, but the inexperienced amateur aboard that day could never get to grips with him and he will benefit immensely for stronger handling here.
This is a race that favours those towards the bottom end of the weights, so with his low racing weight further helped by his talented rider’s claim, he looks set to put in a big run.
Sizing Coal has got the form to hack up here if he has recovered from two poor efforts in December, Abolitionist is most deserving of a change of luck after four seconds on the bounce and Bonny Kate will not be passed if she is allowed to set her own fractions, but the biggest threat to the selection is likely to come from either Sambremont or Space Cadet.
Both seem ideally suited by these conditions, are on potentially lenient marks and they will be finishing with a rattle if there is pace in the race.