Cheltenham Festival: Why Naas 1.20 on Saturday is key to note
It might not be the flashiest or most exciting race on Saturday’s horse racing schedule – but it’s worth keeping an eye on the opener at Naas.
The A.M. Transport Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle at 1.20 boasts a field of just six runners – half of whom have yet to win under rules – and is worth only €9,735 to winning connections.
So why am I telling you this is a noteworthy race? Well, it’s only gone and produced four of the last five winners of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival!
Band Of Outlaws (2019), Aramax (2020) and Brazil (2022) were first past the past at Naas before scoring in the Boodles off handicap marks of 139, 138 and 137.
Jazzy Matty (2023) was the only one of the quartet not to win at Naas, having finished fourth of six runners, but that outing secured a handy rating of 125 from the BHA handicapper.
Naas 1.20 odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners and a betting tip from the racing boffins is below.
Naas 1.20 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the A.M. Transport Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle 2024.
Nara
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 4 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Fairly useful ex-Fench winning hurdler. Yard in good form so not ruled out with tongue strap back on.
***
Open To Question
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 4 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Twice-raced winner over hurdles. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, 24 lengths ninth of 11 to Kargese in Spring Juvenile Hurdle (100/1) at Leopardstown (16f, soft) 7 days ago. Blinkers back on.
***
Pacini
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 4 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Thrice-raced winner over hurdles. 1 win from 3 runs this season. 5/4, won 10-runner juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse (16.1f, heavy) 56 days ago, kept up to work. Should have more to offer.
****
Bright Legend
Trainer: Denis Hogan Jockey: D. King Age: 4 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Twice-raced maiden over hurdles. Fairly useful winner at 10f on flat. 14/1, fifth of 18 in juvenile hurdle at Punchestown (16.2f, soft) 26 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Difficult ask.
**
Eagle Fang
Trainer: William Durkan Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 4 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Lightly-raced maiden. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, 10¾ lengths tenth of 12 to Kala Conti in Leopardstown Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, good to soft, 66/1) 46 days ago. Considered.
****
Lark In The Mornin
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 4 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Promising type. Fairly useful winner at 8f on flat. 3/1, third of 18 in juvenile hurdle at Punchestown (16.2f, soft) 26 days ago, finishing well. Stable in good form. Ought to go close.
*****
Naas 1.20 verdict
Timeform: LARK IN THE MORNIN holds the edge on form so is taken to gain a first success in this sphere at the chief expense of Eagle Fang, who can also play a part. Pacini looks to have better days ahead of him and needs considering too.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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