RACING/NAAS:IT HAS been a frustratingly stop-start campaign for Paul Townend up to now but with just over seven weeks to Cheltenham the reigning champion jockey can start the festival countdown with a big race double at Naas today.
With Ruby Walsh on duty at Ascot, Townend takes the reins on a number of Willie Mullins-trained hotpots including Allee Garde in the featured €40,000 Woodlands Park Novice Chase.
Continuing this season’s trend of small fields in some of the more prestigious races, just five line up for the Grade Two highlight with Mullins scheduled to pitch two against a pair of Gigginstown Stud hopefuls and Medical Card flying the flag for Noel Meade.
Allee Garde, who carries the famous Dorans Pride colours, boasts the best piece of form here having only lost second place to First Lieutenant in the last strides of the Grade One Fort Leney won by Last Instalment over Christmas.
On official ratings he has at least 7lb in hand of this opposition and neither the three-mile trip nor the testing ground conditions will be any problem to him. Crash was well behind Alle Garde in that Fort Leney while Mullins should know exactly where he stands with Four Commanders on a line through Sir Des Champs.
Mikael d’Haguenet faces just three in the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle as he continues his climb back up the rankings after an abortive chase career.
The former Cheltenham festival hero overhauled Western Leader at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and Shark Hanlon again provides what looks to be his big threat today in the shape of Luska Lad.
Luska Lad was well behind Unaccompanied over Christmas and should relish the step up in trip but Mikael d’Haguenet has half a stone in hand of him on official figures and can complete a three-in-a-row.
Townend can also score for Mullins in the opening maiden hurdle on board Marasonnien who found only Touch Back too good for him at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day.
Davy Condon, a cousin of Townend, steps in for the rides on Noel Meade’s horses today and faces a challenge on Dylan Ross in the two-mile novice hurdle.
Dylan Ross has looked less than straightforward on his last two starts, including when beaten half a length by Cash An Go in a Leopardstown Grade One after looking the likely winner on the run-in.
Just four line up today including the 50 to 1 Gowran winner Ludo Et Emergo, the Christmas winner Midnight Game and the former high class flat runner Distant Memories who easily won his first hurdles at Limerick last month.
A horse that ran third to Cirrus Des Aigles in the Group Two Prix Dollar less than a year and a half ago should be very dangerous in a race like this but first time blinkers could give Dylan Ross an edge.
Condon can also make the most of his opportunity in the following hurdle on Blue Cannon.
