HORSE RACING NAAS:RUBY WALSH'S comeback continues on home soil at Naas tomorrow where he teams up with the novice Quadrillon in the €30,000 feature over fences.
Quadrillon takes on 17 opponents in the Lucan Racing Leinster National, including topweight stable companion Ballytrim, who id attempting back-to-back victories in the three mile event.
In terms of April’s Aintree National most focus will be on Ballytrim, as low as 20-1 in some ante-post lists for Liverpool after one punter in Cornwall put £10,000 on the Willie Mullins-trained stayer at 40-1 last month.
Even 11.10 may not be enough to stop Ballytrim either as he put in a possible career best performance in January’s Thyestes Chase when third to Siegemaster.
Paul Townend is on the topweight but it is Walsh’s presence on Quadrillon, third to The Hurl at Gowran on Thyestes day, that will attract plenty of attention.
The champion jockey returned to action at Newbury yesterday after four months out with a broken leg and has a handful of rides at the same track today.
Quadrillon has looked a safe jumper to date but faces some hardy stayers, including the National Trial runner up Noble Concorde and Agus A Vic.
Willie Mullins is preparing a bumper team to send to Cheltenham and tomorrow’s action could provide a timely morale booster for the champion trainer.
Lambro was short-headed by Crash at Thurles last month when Townend’s ride came in for criticism. A more decisive effort by the jockey this time should see Lambro break his duck over flights in the three mile maiden hurdle.
Cottrelsbooley, less than 20 lengths off Oscars Well in the Deloitte, looks to have a straight-forward task in the novice hurdle, while last year’s Gowran maiden winner Pozyc could be a blot on the ratings in the handicap hurdle.
Montan chased home Saludos in the Grade 2 Flyingbolt Chase at Navan last month and should be suited by a step up to two and a half miles in the novice chase.
Any improvement in ground conditions would help Shirley Casper’s chance of finally breaking her duck over fences when she lines up in the Beginners Chase.
Jaffonnien’s second to Tawaagg at Gowran makes Arthur Moore’s horse the danger.
