Sunday 23rd March 2025
1.28 Naas: Dubawi Legend At Compas Stallions Handicap: The first of my three selections at Naas on Sunday comes within the 1.28 which is handicap action over six furlongs. I’m keeping the faith with Rathbranchurch here who I put up last week at the Curragh. He came in for heavy support that day and didn’t run badly when finishing seventh and three and three-quarters of a length behind the winner. It’s likely that he needed the outing and should improve significantly here. He’ll contest this off the same mark as that effort and he’ll also have no issue with the expected soft ground. Rathbranchurch – 6/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
3.13 Naas: DAR Golf Handicap: Next up for me will be the 3.13 which is more handicap action, this time a higher class over a distance of seven furlongs. I like the chances of Hurricane Ivor in this for the team of Jessica Harrington and Scott McCullagh who takes off three pounds. He’s got plenty of very solid form to his name within competitive company and goes well fresh as he showed at the start of last campaign. He’ll contest this off a mark that is effectively eight pounds lower than when he won at the Curragh at the start of the last campaign, and I think he’s a big player on a soft surface which he’ll enjoy. Hurricane Ivor – 14/1 (Each-Way – Several firms)
4.23 Naas: TOTE Irish EBF Devoy Stakes: My third and final selection of the afternoon comes within the 4.23 and we’re up in grade here with the Listed Devoy Stakes over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I like Trustyourinstinct here for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle. He’s got an abundance of strong form in his back catalogue as he’s a Group 3 winner as well as finishing close-up seconds behind two St Leger winners in Continuous and Jan Brueghel, both of these efforts also coming within Group 3 company. He’s also got race fitness on his side having run in a Riyadh Group 2 behind the highly talented Shin Emperor last month and if he’s anywhere near his best here he’s got to be considered a huge player. Trustyourinstinct – 5/2 (Win)
