NH horses to follow 2013-14

[thehorsesmouth]

A couple of likely Grand Annual types have run in Ireland in the past few weeks.

Ted Veale

was well beaten behind Defy Logic but he had previously ran well at Cheltenham on his chasing debut. I don’t know if something was wrong with him at Leopardstown but it wouldn’t surprise if he found improvement in March. The other one is

Ned Buntline

. He’s always looked a bit soft for me but he pulls extremely hard in the early part of his races and that explains why he tends not to find as much as expected at the business end. Until he learns to settle we won’t see the best of him until he gets a strong pace that will help him settle and that’s why I think the Grand Annual will suit. The owner has won the race in recent years with Alderwood and Bellvano and this fellow is definitely more Bellvano! Speaking of

Alderwood

he’d have to have a big chance of a repeat success off a mark in the high 140s.

[thehorsesmouth]

Another nice Mullins novice hurdler running tomorrow at Warwick in the shape of

Rathvinden

. He was very impressive winning his maiden hurdle over two miles at Limerick, and goes in the Grade 2 2m 5f Neptune Hurdle. He’ll be a chaser in time but he should be able go close tomorrow.

[thehorsesmouth]

A look ahead to tomorrow’s Naas card:

1.25 Maiden Hurdle

Ivan Grozny

found only Plinth too good in a Leopardstown juvenile hurdle at Christmas and a repeat of that should be enough here. Forecast odds of 11/8 (irishracing.com) would seem generous.

1.00 Grade 3 Hurdle

Rule The World

and

Dunguib

are the two of interest to me here. Rule The World is the solid option: he’s the one most likely to run to his rating. On the other hand Dunguib hasn’t seen a track for three years but receives a handy 9 lbs from Mouse’s horse. Forecast odds are 9/4 Rule The World and 9/2 Dunguib. If that was the case you could dutch the pair at over even money but I’d be more than a little surprised if those odds appear with the bookies.

1.35 Grade 2 Novice Chase

A very good novice chase in prospect here with Sizing Gold, Foxrock and Rogue Angel all boasting good novice form, while Ipsos Du Berlais ran well in the Paddy Power over Christmas. I’d confidently back Sizing Gold if this was over 2m 4f, but over three miles I don’t think there’ll be much between him and Foxrock, who I have on my 4 Mile Chase shortlist for Cheltenham. Will wait until I see odds before making call.

2.45 Hcp Hurdle

Haven’t looked at this in detail yet but I’ve been keeping a close eye on

Drumlee

.

3.55 Bumper

This should be a good contest between Killultagh Vic (who looked a slightly awkward ride last time) and On Your Eoin, who blew his chance at Leopardstown through being too keen. Jim Dreaper’s Mick Spadoun did enough on debut to suggest he can make the frame with normal improvement.

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