Don’t miss Betfair ambassador Gordon Elliott’s latest column as he runs through his runners at Naas this Sunday
Gordon Elliott talks through his runners at Naas this Sunday
12:50 Final List
He maybe had to work a little harder than we thought to win a Tramore bumper last month but the ground was testing enough for him that day and he should enjoy this better surface.
He’s schooled well over hurdles already and seems to be on good terms with himself so I’d be hoping that he will be able to give a good account of himself.
13:20 Campeador
I was really pleased with Campeador’s win at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago. He did everything right through the race, jumped well and won with plenty to spare.
His display there suggested he could make up into a decent chaser and this looks another nice opportunity for him.
If he produces a performance like the one he did last time I’d expect that he will be hard to beat.
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13:50 Battleoverdoyen and Commander Of Fleet
Battleoverdoyen has done everything right so far this season and the hope is that he will prove good enough to hold his own at this level.
He looked good when he won his bumper at Punchestown and was impressive in a maiden hurdle at Navan last time out - but is now taking a huge rise in class.
He still has plenty to learn but will enjoy stepping up to this trip and I do think that there is still more to come from him so hopefully he will be closely involved.
He wouldn’t have the same experience as a few of these but overall I couldn’t be happier with him.
Commander Of Fleet got his season off to a nice start when he won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown.
I made a mistake bringing him back to two miles for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle last time and he finished fourth of the four runners so hopefully a return to this trip will allow him to show what he is capable of.
He is a talented horse and I think that he will be up to winning some good races for us this season.
14:20 Dakota Moirette
This horse has more to offer as a chaser and he has a better chance than his recent form figures would suggest.
He needed his comeback run badly and last week at Leopardstown he was going to run a respectable race behind Paloma Blue only to part company with his jockey at the last.
He is a horse who takes plenty of getting fit so he could still have needed his last run and the best is yet to come from him.
He doesn’t have that much chasing experience so it should help that it’s not a big field.
INJURY WOE Champion apprentice Jason Watson out for two months with hairline fracture
14:50 Viscount Wilson
He is struggling to make any sort of impact as a hurdler and I was disappointed with his first handicap run at Limerick last week where he didn’t make any impression.
Hopefully a switch to better ground and a light weight can help him but he has got to start making progress if he is to make an impression in handicaps.
15:20 Missy Tata
She developed into a really smart mare for us a few seasons ago and she won at Listed and Grade 3 level when she was last in action.
However, some leg trouble has kept her off the track for the last couple of years and we’ve just been bringing her along gently for the last few months.
She’s in good heart and I’m happy with what she has shown at home so hopefully she can make up into a decent chaser this season.
Her lack of a recent run could well catch her out and she’d probably prefer slower ground too.