Equinties - Lady Adare returns

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Gm Equinauts

Some interesting racing today finally after last weeks snooze fest and all eyes will be on Nicholls and Fry.

Nicholls has several new expensive recruits lined up at very short prices and the latter, Fry looks set to finally unleash the unbeaten LADY ADARE.

Having been withdrawn late on numerous occasions due to the going which funnily enough is no different today, you have to wonder what Fry has been waiting for?

She looks a nice prospect for the inform yard and today’s test will determine just how far this mare can progress… does she have what it takes to be a Graded horse or even live Festival contender?

Let’s dive in.

Headline roundup

Whats it (Tol)worth?

The first Grade 1 of 2023 went the way of Paul Nicholls’ TAHMURAS on Saturday as he saw off Evan Williams’ L’ASTROBOY, a horse who beat him on debut, by two lengths in the Tolworth Hurdle. 

Owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate (who landed a big double on the day with LOVE ENVOI), the six-year-old by FALCO saw the race fall into his lap as the market leader, AUTHORISED SPEED, and Irish raider ARCTIC BRESIL both couldn’t keep up on the big stage. 

Can you be taking much away from the race? Well Racing Twitter has laughed at the state of the result and the subsequent pricing of the Supreme but give the poor lad a break, he did it so easily and has done nothing but do what’s asked of him and beat what’s in front of him!

Visually at the time, it looked a tough watch for ARCTIC BRESIL who is still trying to get round now and AUTHORISED SPEED, saw his race finish before two-out to leave TAHMURAS coast home despite leaving much to be desired on the jumping front.

And that’s precisely the positive to take away - TAHMURAS must have a decent engine to jump as he did and still win well. Weak or not, he’s won that Grade 1 with his head in his chest.

Firms across the board went as short as 10/1 for the Supreme in March for this lad, a likely target considering HERMES ALLEN looks set for a charge at the Ballymore – what did you make of the performance? Not amazing or a striking effort? 

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Back to form for Champ 

The Royal Bond form from last month came to the fore in yesterday’s Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas as CHAMP KIELY lead home IRISH POINT to get his season back on track for Willie Mullins. 

Having been as big as 15/2 the day before, connections obviously fancied his chances as the seven-year-old went off at an SP of 10/3 and won by two lengths under a brilliant front-running ride from Danny Mullins – IRISH POINT, second in the Royal Bond to MARINE NATIONALE, travelled well into the race but just couldn’t catch the runaway winner. 

Where next for this progressive novice? He is 8/1 for the Ballymore and 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett following the performance, with David Casey, assistant to Willie Mullins, suggesting the Ballymore trip would be his preferred distance. 

On the flip side, trainer of IRISH POINT, Gordon Elliott, suggests that his star could head straight to March and better ground could be a preference for him. 

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QUICKFIRE NEWS 

Kennedy sidelined 

Number one jockey at Cullentra, Jack Kennedy, could be set for s spell on the sidelines after his horror fall onboard TOP BANDIT at Naas yesterday. 

The in-form jockey was whisked off to hospital for a leg injury and, unfortunately, his mount, TOP BANDIT, suffered a fatal injury and was put down after the novice chase. 

Jordan Gainford took over from Kennedy for the ride on IRISH POINT in the Lawlor’s Of Naas and trainer Elliott said: “We’re not going to have him for the foreseeable future.” 

Thoughts are with connections of TOP BANDIT and we are wishing Jack a speedy recovery. 

Sweet news for Honey 

Following TELLMESOMETHINGGIRL’s victory in the 2m4f mares’ beginners chase at Naas yesterday, Peter Molony, racing manager to owner Kenny Alexander, revealed that it would be the Champion Hurdle or nowhere for their star mare HONEYSUCKLE.  

The two-time Champion Hurdle heroine fell short for the first time in this season’s renewal of the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, probing some to suggest that the Mares Hurdle could be a possibility in March. 

However, it looks like connections will either send her for a third crack at the highlight event on the Tuesday of the Festival or retire her before then, depending on how she runs in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

This is brilliant to see from connections – the best horses should be running in the best races, and we hope she can make it back to Cheltenham in March. 

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Waterlogged Britain 

Hold onto your hats and grab those umbrellas if you are racing this week as rainfall is set to make conditions very tough on UK tracks this week. 

Leicester’s Wednesday meeting has already been called off due to standing water and Bangor’s fixture on Thursday has to pass an inspection on Monday in order to race. 

Heavy rain is set to hit the country on Tuesday which could put a few meetings in doubt – fingers crossed we can get as much racing as possible this week. 

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Todays best stats

Fry is 2 from 2 in the 15.00 and sends LADY ADARE for the hat-trick.

Ewart won the 15.20 last year and today sends a horse with a very similar profile to last years winner. HASHTAG LORD makes his handicap debut today and although Ewart only has a 20% sr with handicap debutants, he’s very, very itm.

David Evans is 2 from 2 in the 19.30 and sends LIHOU who won this race in ‘21 off a much higher mark. Drift a bit bearish though - does it retain the same ability?

Ayr bumper

A nice bumper with lots of NH peds here and obviously the Crawford brothers are heading the market as they love mopping up northern/Scottish bumpers as part of their business model.

I love backing Crawford bumper horses and their runner today, ISENAY, has a solid ped but his Irish run was a bit shit so will tentatively and against my better judgement will take him on today.

McConnell sends one over, he’s next in market but was well beaten in his point albeit still fetched >30k.

Lucinda’s ESPRIT DU POTIER is another with a nice ped with good horses on dam side but price on the drift and the yard don’t get many bumper winners so leaving this one.

Next in line is LUCKY SOLDIER who is out of a half to AYE RIGHT. He ran fine in a bumper at Ayr last year and although yard have low bumper sr, I expect this horse to go well if trying.

The other two below can’t win on pedigree imo.

In all this is too tough to call as most have nice enough pedigree’s.

Risk on

Any bets will be posted on twitter