National Service For Elliott At Naas

Just one handicap chase worth €100,000 or more has failed to make its way to Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra House and that was the Thyestes Chase in which Champagne West came home alone.

More National Service for Elliott
Second to the Gold Cup contender that day was Ucello Conti and the Aintree Grand National hopeful can pick up the lucrative Leinster National on his way to Liverpool.

Hauling 11st10lbs around over three miles in a competitive race like this, the richest ever to be run at Naas, is going to be tough going but Ucello Conti has shown a liking for soft conditions and may still be on the upward curve.

Sambremont’s run behind Baie Des Iles over a longer trip and similar ground is probably going to make him favourite for Willie Mullins and one horse that makes appeal is Abolitionist if he was to handle the ground. Last seen following home Empire Of Dirt in the Troytown, should things fall right for him, he would have a squeak with a nice racing weight of just 10st12lbs. But Ucello Conti remains the pick.

Percy’s Form To Be Franked
Presenting Percy is one of the most interesting horses to line up next week in the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival.

He’s been the subject of a lot of talk ahead of the Pertemps because of the handicap rating he got from the British handicapper and it will be interesting to see if he can concede weight from most of his rivals and give trainer Pat Kelly a second successive win in that race.

It will be interesting to see at Naas on Sunday if his form can be franked by That’s A Wrap.

Tom Mullins’ charge was second to Presenting Percy last time and although he was no match for the winner on that occasion, he could well gain compensation this time around.

It’s a trappy race. Moores Road and Peace N’ Milan have both been in very good form of late and they’ll be in receipt of a lot of weight from the selection but this will represent a step up in class for that duo. While they can trouble the selection, That’s A Wrap can still prove a step ahead of the handicapper.

Recommended Bets:
Ucello Conti (6/1) – 4.50 Naas
That’s A Wrap (2/1) – 3.15 Naas

*Prices correct at time of publication.