Sunday 23rd February 2025
2.10 Hereford: Star Sports We Believe In Bookmaking Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle: My first selection of the day on Sunday comes from Hereford and in the 2.10 which is a Class 5 handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I like Nollyador in this for Emma Lavelle and Cameron Johnstone-Baker who takes off ten pounds. He returned from a layoff to finish a fine third of eight on his handicap debut at Huntingdon back in December and will contest today’s assignment off effectively ten pounds lower with the rider’s claim. That has to make him a serious player and he’s also down in class here having contested Class 4 company last time out. Nollyador – 5/2 (Win)
3.20 Naas: William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap Hurdle: Next up for me will be the 3.20 at Naas which is handicap hurdle action over a distance of a mile and seven and a half furlongs. I’m with Duke Of Leggagh here for Michael Mulvany and Patrick O’Brien who takes off seven pounds. He’s a five-year-old who progressed from a third-placed effort on handicap debut to win over course and distance last time out earlier this month. He’s been raised seven pounds for that success, however, today’s rider takes exactly seven off with his claim which makes him of serious interest off theoretically the same mark. Duke Of Leggagh – 9/2 (Each-Way)
3.50 Naas: Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle: My third and final selection on Sunday comes within the following race at Naas which is the 3.50 and this is a Pertemps Qualifier that’s contested over two miles and seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Heliko Conti in this competitive-looking affair for Paul Nolan and Sean O’Keeffe. He stayed on strongly last time out at Gowran Park to finish second of eighteen in a competitive handicap, just a length and a half behind the winnner. The step up in trip appears to have brought out improvement, and he acts on the testing ground that he’ll encounter here. He should go well off a low weight and is just two pounds higher than last time out. Heliko Conti – 9/1 (Each-Way)
