DAVY RUSSELL: Naas Sunday

Just a couple of seconds for me at Fairyhouse on Saturday, hoping for better luck at Naas on Sunday. I did say yesterday that I was worried about more rain over the weekend and we just found out tonight that the course will have a look in the morning. Fingers crossed the meeting gets the thumbs up but you can guarantee it will be testing.

I have five rides on the card but I’ll be certain to be staying on to watch the bumper. It usually produces a good class winner and this year four of the five runners come into it unbeaten. Gordon (Elliott) runs Farouk D’Alene who has won a Point and bumper by wide margins and looks a nice prospect for the yard.

SUNDAY

NAAS

ORNUA (2.10pm Grade 3 chase) NON RUNNER

Ornua played his part of a very special day for me at Aintree on Grand National day last year when winning the Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase (pictured). That came on good ground and it would be my concern that all his winning form has so far come on a faster surface. That said, he is a classy individual who should run his race at this level – despite the penalty he picks up for his Grade 1 win. Cadmium won this last year and again looks a big danger.

FROM EDEN (2.40pm)

Has winning form on heavy ground and ran a good race for me the last day in Fairyhouse when staying on all the way to the line to finish second to Velocity Boy. The step-up in trip should help him based on that run but this looks very competitive and you can give some of sort of a chance to most of the field.

GRANGECLARE NATIVE (3.10pm Grade 2 novice hurdle)

My first ride on him, although I’ve sat on him at home and he is a very likeable horse who I’m sure will be a good future prospect. He’s won a Point at Curraghmore and a bumper in Punchestown but is really thrown in at the deep end for his hurdling debut here. Gordon also runs the talented Andy Dufresne who bounced back to win the Moscow Flyer in Punchestown and also French bumper winner Fighter Allen who has his first start for the yard.

ENNEMI PUBLIC (4.10pm)

Is taking a little time to run into form but I thought ran his best race yet when third to Five O’Clock at Limerick last month. He was 10 lengths behind the winner but the form took a nice boost when Five O’Clock followed up with a comfortable success in a Grade 3 at Thurles earlier in the week. It’s a competitive maiden but if he can improve for that last run hopefully we can at least grab a slice of the action.

SONG OF NAMIBIA (4.40pm)

His two wins have come on good ground so that would have to be a concern – especially as it will be really chewed up at this stage of the afternoon. Down another couple of pounds in the handicap but just needs to be showing us a little more as his form has tailed off a bit recently.

Good Luck
DAVY

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