Racecards
15:25 Naas (IRE)
Paddy Power Shops Better Value Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €42,000 added
- Winner: €27,300
- 2nd: €7,980
- 3rd: €3,780
- 4th: €1,260
- Form 23-1101
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up towards rear, closed into 4th before straight where raced on outer, dropped to rear again and no extra from before last
- Form 1-117
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer E P Harty
- Jockey Mark Walsh
held up towards rear, improved into 4th before last and no impression, kept on between horses to go 3rd close home
- Form 5/15202
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer C A Murphy
- Jockey B J Cooper
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in and relegated to 4th close home
- Form 22-123
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer P Fenton
- Jockey B T O'Connell
made all, went on approaching 3 out, reduced lead and strongly pressed 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
- Form 5-65521
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer F Flood
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
raced in 3rd, under pressure 2 out, dropped to 5th and no extra from before last
- Form 12-1132
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
raced in 4th, jumped right 1st, 5th before straight, ridden to go 2nd before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
A P McCoy has a rare ride for Willie Mullins on board the J P McManus-owned CITY SLICKER, whose one poor effort in his last four came at Ascot. Whether he's up to this grade is another matter but is given the benefit of the doubt as that's a remark that also applies to his stablemate Vicky De L'Oasis, who has been beaten at Listed and Grade 3 level on her last two starts. Empire Of Dirt has been racing over longer trips since making a winning hurdles debut at Punchestown while all of the remainder have a bit to find though arrive in good heart.
Formwatch
City Slicker (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Held up and ran freely early, 4th halfway, progress to challenge 3 out, soon led, disputed 2 out, asserted before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl in Jan beating Un Beau Matin (11-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Minella Foru (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear of mid-division, ridden in 7th early straight and no extra approaching last, 7th of 10, 15l behind The Tullow Tank (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Dec.
Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leader in 2nd, led entering straight, ridden and challenged before last, headed last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Zabana (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Jan.
Real Steel (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Led, edged right on to rail after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Wicklow Brave (11-8) at Punchestown 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) hvy.
Kylestyle (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out and soon led, ridden clear before last, easily, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Daliyan (11-9) by 6l, 18 ran.
Vicky De L'Oasis (FR) 10-3 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th when slight mistake 4 out, headway into 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner from last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Gitane Du Berlais (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mrs nov hdl G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Kick On Boss (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, clear from 5th, slight mistake 3 out, hit 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Zip Wyatt (11-10) by 12l, 13 ran.