Sunday's Meetings Southwell A/W 7 Races 12:30-3:30p.m. Chepstow N/H 7 Races 12:40-3:40p.m. Naas N/H 7 Races 12:50-3:50p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
It will be interesting to see how good (or not) this Mullins hotpot, Grangeclare West, is tomorrow. From a maiden win (easily), straight into a G1. Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
It will be interesting to see him against the placed horses from the Royal Bond as I am a big fan of Marine Nationale
Can't wait to see Grangeclare West again tomorrow. Will likely be into short priced favouritism for the Ballymore and Spud race should he oblige the morrow. A super race it looks on paper too, he's drifting in the betting slightly tonight but I think he could be very very special.
3 of the first 4 posts relating to Grangeclare West we've only gone and given him the welter burden of 15 stone now for tomorrow.
Naas 14,20 Dawn Rising 11/1 e/w bet365 three places, 10/1 others Chepstow 15,40 Rossbeigh Strand 9/1 e/w bet365 four places
Looks a certainty now for the 3 miler doesn't he. Cracking run over the inadequate distance and only half fit, just tired out of it last 2 furlongs when cantering all over them.
Grangeclare was uneasy in all the lead up to the race and Champ Kiely was well supported from the same stable. I'm certain they knew one was firing on all cylinders and the other wasn't. Grangeclare stopped very sudden today at the end compared to his last win and I'd back him to beat that opposition comfortably on nicer spring ground over 2 miles 4 and beyond all day long. Can't find any comment on the performance yet so will have to wait and see what Willie says, whether it was ground or something ailing him. Should know more tomorrow.
Champ Kiely won Ireland's first Grade 1 race of 2023, the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas today, justifying market support despite being trainer Willie Mullins' apparent second-string on jockey bookings. Eight horses, from seven different yards, lined up and while Mullins' Grangeclare West was stable jockey Paul Townend's pick, started an uneasy 15/8 favourite, ahead of better supported Champ Kiely (5/1 to 100/30). Just seven of the original 11 hurdles were jumped in the 2m4f race, due to low sun in the home straight, with Champ Kiely, under Danny Mullins, making all to win. Runner-up Irish Point briefly pressed the winner bypassing the second-last flight but failed to close in the final furlong, with Champ Kiely scoring by two and a quarter lengths. A pair of J.P. McManus-owned runners, Dawn Rising and Inothewayurthinkin filled third and fourth place while Mullins' beaten favourite Grangeclare West failed to land a blow, finishing fifth. Trainer Willie Mullins wasn't present and his nephew, successful jockey Danny Mullins who said “it was a good performance and I got a great feel off this fellow in Tipperary. “The Royal Bond Hurdle was a bit of a messy race but he was only beaten four-and-a-bit lengths so I believed he had something like that in him. It's easy to say it but he's gone and proved it. He's won over further so the trip was never going to be an issue.” The trainer's assistant David Casey added “I'm not really surprised as they (Champ Kiely and favourite Grangeclare West) are two very good horses in their own right. “I'd say tactically the race didn't work for Champ Kiely in Fairyhouse and we're back to what he's good at today - I'd say the step up in trip was a help as well, and soft ground. It all fell right and Danny said he was very happy with him and he gave him a great ride. “He was tough and I think he would have been better with the two hurdles in but it is what it is. “I'd say he could go either two-miles or 2m4f but I'd say tactically we didn't get it right in Fairyhouse over two and back over 2m4f today he made the running, stays well enough but has a bit of pace.” He added “he won his bumper well without being spectacular, what he did in Galway was very good and then had a break. He seemed to improve for it, just got better and better and Tipperary was very good obviously.” Regarding Grangeclare West he added “I haven't spoken to Paul (Townend) yet, it looked like he travelled alright and didn't seem to get home for whatever reason. I'll speak to Paul and we'll get him checked out and see.”
In being beaten 122.5 lengths you would have to conclude he didn't exactly excel!!! Monumental drifter though in the market 9/1 out to 20's on track (and had been as low as 5/1 the evening before the race). Maybe, Estacas will be a slow burner and one for handicaps further down the line. Alternatively, maybe hurdling isn't for him and Esacas will be switched back to the Flat from now on (his form looks a million times better, at the minute, on the level rather than over timber).
Grangeclare West was indeed found to be blowing hard and coughing post race yesterday suggesting he wasn't at full health. Lovely jubbly. Hopefully he can get back to full fitness shortly and now we may get an even bigger price for the festival. Still curious as to the plunge for Champ Kiely while the lack of strength for himself in the betting market on the day, someone "knew" as they might say. Edit: Source was Sporting Life article.
