Sunday 18th October 2020

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Welcome to this Sunday Preview where I’ll be taking a look at four Listed races that we have in both the UK and Ireland. For the first time in many, many months I’ll be having a look at some National Hunt racing, which is set to take place at Kempton Park, as well as looking at some flat action over at Naas in Ireland

Enjoy!

– Jordan

The first race I’ve had a look at is the 2:22 at Kempton and it’s a Listed Novices’ Hurdle over two miles. I think this can go to FIDELIO VALLIS for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, he sharpened up his jumping nicely in his last two outings earlier on in the year and he’s likely to be match fit for this particular assignment. The clear danger is seemingly For Pleasure who’s rattled off three straight wins in dominant style for Alex Hales.

FIDELIO VALLIS (5/4)

(Finishing Position: 2nd)

Moving onto the 3:32 at Kempton which is a Listed Hurdle once again over two miles. It’s hard to get away from the very smart VERDANA BLUE here for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. She was last seen finishing third in the Ebor on the flat at York in August and is a very classy hurdler, a previous winner of this particular race last year as well. I think she’ll put in a bold showing to go close again this time around. The majority of this field pose as a threat and have a chance of running well, the most likely main danger probably comes in the form of the Evan Williams trained Silver Streak who won this race last year.

VERDANA BLUE (4/5)

(Finishing Position: 2nd)

Over to Naas and the 3:40 which is a Listed contest for Fillies & Mares on the flat that’s contested over a mile. This looks a good opportunity for ETNEYA for Dermot Weld and Oisin Orr. She looks to be a lot more progressive than most in the field and also has some of, if not the best form on offer having gone down a neck the last day in second within Group 3 company. If bringing that level of form to the table once again she could well prove a tough nut to crack. 

ETNEYA (9/4)

(Finishing Position: Unplaced)

Concluding this Sunday Preview will be the 4:15 at Naas which is another Listed event for Fillies & Mares this time ridden over a distance of a mile and four furlongs. I’ve taken a chance here on the Joseph O’Brien trained MIGHTY BLUE who’s set to be ridden by Shane Crosse. She’s had a busy season, however, she may not be done quite yet having finished third the last day behind the smart Dawn Patrol within Group 3 company. She didn’t have the best of passages that day and if bringing that level of form and getting more luck on this occasion she could have a big say. The main danger looks to come in the form of Jessica Harrington’s Barrington Court. 

MIGHTY BLUE (5/1)

(Finishing Position: 4th)