DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY APRIL 19
1.50 CURRAGH
Noble Nation ran out an impressive winner on his seasonal bow at Naas a month ago but Gerard O’Leary’s gelding did exactly the same the previous year before blowing out next time out and with the strong possibility lightening will strike twice, he is passed over in favour of STAG NIGHT.
Unlike his main market rival according to the betting, the eight-year-old has a ton of previous course form to call upon and both his two efforts this season are right up there with anything his has previously achieved in his career.
A creditable third on his opening bow over six furlongs, the son of Tagula fared best of those drawn towards the nearside when a keeping-on second to Bodhi Bear over the C&D on his return visit 13 days later and the data points towards him not being too far away again if running to a similar level.
STAG NIGHT – 1-point win@3-1
3.35 CURRAGH
The level of improvement shown by BESET in recent times has been nothing short of miraculous and, with her rise from humble beginnings of a mark of 75 to her new perch of 106 showing no sign of abating, Joseph O’Brien’s filly can continue her rise through the ranks.
The daughter of Expert Eye has rather left egg on the face of Henry Candy since being allowed to leave the Kingston Warren stable for a miserly 25k and based on her latest victory at Naas, a continuation of where she left off last season, she looks more than ready to take on the boys, stepping up in grade.
Additionally, her two performances at today’s track suggest the Kildare venue really suits her eye and with testing conditions no problem to her based on her romp here back in November, she is most unlikely to let her supporters down.
BESET – 1-point each-way@9-2
4.18 STRATFORD
UFOURIA caught the eye in a big way at Bangor last time out and having been seemingly been given a golden opportunity by the assessor, Alistair Ralph’s mare makes plenty of appeal on return to handicap company.
A bumper winner for Paul Nolan in Ireland, the eight-year-old made an inauspicious start for new connections but there was much more promise gleaned from her latest exploits at the Welsh venue when she kept on nicely from the rear of the field to finish a never-nearer fourth behind the useful, Halftheworldaway (rated 114).
Despite that career high effort on the figures, the daughter of Vadamos was dropped to a mark of 100 in the post-race assessments and her new rating looks exploitable, especially with the likelihood of more to come.
UFOURIA – 1/2-point each-way@7-1 (four places)