Racing Tips – Top Tipster Eamonn Hames’ best horse racing selections for Sunday, March 26
Eamonn Hames guides you through the racing from Naas and Downpatrick on Sunday
NAAS SUNDAY
3.40
Although this was the race used as the springboard for Awtaad’s progression to Classic glory last year, it is unlikely we will see anything as special again this year.
However, there are a few in here capable of far better than this level and none more so than ZELANIYA.
The well bred Aga Khan filly hacked up when winning her maiden at Gowran Park and as she is under the care of Dermot Weld, she should be more than ready for this first start of the season.
Middle distances may suit her better in time, but it would not surprise to see her take this in style before stepping up for a Classic trial in the next six weeks.
Heading the dangers is the Irish Oaks entry Vociferous Marina. Jim Bolger’s filly has to give them all weight, but that is not surprising given the way she bounded clear of a pattern class colt at the Curragh in September.
Massif Central is a useful maiden and Party Tiger is respected coming over for Richard Fahey, but Hansian Prince could be the one if the selection fails to fire.
Ger Lyons’ colt may need this, but if he doesn’t then he is ideally drawn to track the early pace and be in an ideal position entering the straight.
4.10
A good three-year-old is always feared at this time of the year, but this year’s turnout doesn’t look anything special and this should be a good opportunity for the best horse in the race to get her season off to an easy start.
SOMEHOW is unlikely to be at her peak for this, but she really shouldn’t need to be to reward favourite backers.
The manner in which the Aidan O’Brien four-year-old dominated a solid Group 3 field on her last start was impressive and the fact that she has been kept to race on gives an indication that connections must feel she is well up to landing a Group 1.
Mick Channon is one from one here at Naas in the last five years, so his Czabo must be respected, but the one for the forecast should be Flying Fairies.
John Oxx’s filly took a fair scalp at Leopardstown in October and looks the type to thrive further this year.
The lightly raced pair Wild As The Wind and Ce La Vie will be in the fight for the places, but the remainder will struggle to get near the selection.
4.40
With the ground very much on the soft side, this could be a race that favours the lighter weights and of those, maybe MR RIGHT is the one that will handle the conditions best.
Johnny Levins’ five-year-old has been very progressive, but he still looks on a mark he can exploit.
Most of his wins were on better ground last year, but there is every chance of better to come now returned to a softer surface and his racing weight gives him a big chance.
Onenightidreamed is at the other end of the weights, but he loves the mud and must be considered a huge danger to all, even off his lofty mark.
Sea Wolf is unlikely to be at his best first time out in these conditions, whereas Sikandarabad, the horse that finished second to him in last year’s Irish Cambridgeshire, will love this ground and has always ran well when first time out.
Canary Row can be relied upon to run a good race for each way backers, Stenographer is an intriguing handicap debutant and Gentil J is another of the lighter weights that will relish this ground.
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Naas
2.10 Verbitude
2.40 Alphabet
3.10 Tatlisu
3.40 Zelaniya (nap)
4.10 Somehow (nb)
4.40 Mr Right
5.10 Feathery
Downpatrick
2.20 Fly Rory Fly
2.50 Sanibel Island
3.20 Newsworthy
3.50 Folsom Blue
4.20 James
4.50 Sizingdowntherhine
5.20 Coeur De Beauchene