Racecards
15:30 Naas (IRE)
Paddy Power Shops Better Value Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €46,500 added
- Winner: €27,435
- 2nd: €8,835
- 3rd: €4,185
- 4th: €1,860
- Form 04-06F1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along 2 out, soon no impression, no extra approaching last
- Form 2-21221
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey B J Geraghty
soon raced in 6th, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, tight for room before straight, soon closed up travelling smoothly, challenging when hit 2 out and on terms, dropped to 3rd from before last where slight mistake, no extra run-in
- Form 4317-21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey A E Lynch
disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along briefly approaching 5th to close, soon pushed along again, not fluent 3 out, under pressure and squeezed for room early straight, no extra from before 2 out, weakened
- Form 446/2-P1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer G J Power
- Jockey M A Enright
close up, soon raced in 3rd, not fluent 3rd, led into straight, pressed and joined 2 out, soon headed and no extra, weakened and eased run-in
- Form 512
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Mark Walsh
in rear, pushed along from 3 out, no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form 12U131
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
slight mistake 1st, soon raced in 5th, closed up travelling smoothly 2 out, soon on terms, led run-in, stayed on best
- Form 214
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer A Fleming
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
disputed lead, hit 1st, soon led, headed into straight, no extra 2 out
- Form 6-831
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer E P Harty
- Jockey D N Russell
held up, soon raced in 7th, not fluent 3rd, closed 2 out, soon progress between horses and on terms, headed and kept on same pace run-in
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Au Quart De Tour would have made a successful debut over timber but for falling at Fairyhouse and has since gained an easy victory at Gowran when making all. He had three Grade 1 entries at Cheltenham and is obviously well regarded. Don't Touch It's close second to A Toi Phil looks top form after the winner's success in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and he's since stormed to victory on that track. He looks a smart prospect while Hurry Henry chased home Bellshill at Cork before battling to a narrow victory over the minimum here last month. Ball D'arc was beaten almost five lengths by MOON OVER GERMANY at Navan in December but has made great strides subsequently. The winner hasn't run since but it may be worth chancing that he'll have made similar progress and prove the value here.
Formwatch
Au Quart De Tour (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, asserted after 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Alamein (11-12) by 8l, 20 ran.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, pressed leader from 4th, slight mistake 3 out, disputed before 2 out, led entering straight, asserted before last, not extended, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Jan beating Beau Mome (11-10) by 13l, 14 ran.
Hurry Henry (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd and pushed along 4 out, closer 2nd next, ridden to lead 2 out, strongly pressed after last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Naas 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Fairly Legal (11-12) by nk, 20 ran.
Yes Sir Brian (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, slight mistake 2nd, on terms before 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, gained narrow lead into straight, pushed along from 2 out, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Hurricane Darwin (11-12) by 4l, 22 ran.
All The Answers 11-4 (11-9) Raced 2nd, soon tracked leader, almost on terms under 5f out, ridden under 3f out, no impression leader 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Prince D'aubrelle (12-0) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden to challenge entering straight, led before last, kept on strongly, eased close home, won at Punchestown 2m lst (1) sft in Jan beating Royal Caviar (11-9) by 3l, 5 ran.
Marakoush (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression on leaders after 2 out, 4th of 5, 25 1/4l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Moon Over Germany (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Prominent, 4th after 3rd, slight mistake 2 out, soon challenged in 2nd, led before last, stayed on best to assert run-in, won at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Ball D'arc (11-7) by 4 3/4l, 15 ran.