Ireland's Eye - Sunday 4 January

Sunday 4 January

IRELANDS EYE

Another excellent day for the team yesterday with two good priced winning selections, our second lay to come up trumps (albeit may have fortune on our side) and only Sports Writers narrow defeat the only real disappointment.

Our winners included Back Of The Pack (10-9/1) who was followed home by our next best Sher Fountin and China Rock (3/1) landed the next where we got the favourite Head Of The Posse turned over which ensured a profit of 30 points on the day.

Naas today houses a decent card and the opening 2m 3f maiden hurdle at 12-45 offers former pointer and dual bumper scorer Drive On Regardless a good opportunity to finally get off the mark over hurdles at the fourth attempt.

The Willie Mullins trained and Ruby Walsh ridden 6yo has admittedly been somewhat disappointing to date but the trip and ground here look ideal and though the price may be skinny he can see off Lurgan and another former dual bumper winner Cottage Oak.

The following 2m novice chase is next up at 1-15 and here it should pay to follow Made In Taipan to register his fourth victory at the track for the Tom Mullins/Davy Russell combination. Admittedly the 7yo did not jump with his usual aplomb behind Follow The Plan in a top class Grade 1 nine days ago and he has to give 4lbs to the progressive Jayo but at this trip he may hold the advantage over Willie Mullins runner.

Jim Dreaper fresh from his success with Notre Pere in the Welsh National is having an excellent year and his Retrievethelegend can follow up his Navan success over the distance last time out by taking the 2-15 a 2m 4f hc chase under Andrew Lynch. The Grey 10yo has been relatively lightly campaigned and he just may prove the victor over Merchant Paddy who was brought down last time when well supported in the market for the Charles Byrne yard.

The 2m hc hurdle at 3-15 looks fairly open but we will take 3 against the field here and nominate Carlos, Smack That and Sky Captain – but not necessarily in that order. Daniel Mileys Sky Captain was hit with a 10lb penalty for his Fairyhouse success 3 weeks ago but still looks competitive off this mark while Carlos is in good form, despite failing to justify favouritism last time. However a narrow vote goes to Philip Rothwells Smack That who ran well when beaten about 2 lengths in an open Leopardstown hc a week ago. The in form yard has the assistance of a useful 4lb claimer and he can edge out Sky Captain.

ADVICE
DRIVE ON REGARDLESS – 6pts win – saver 1pt win Lurgan 12-45 Naas
MADE IN TAIPAN – 6pts win 1-15 Naas
JAYO - lay to win 5pts 1-15 Naas
RETRIEVETHELEGEND – 4pts win – saver 2pts win Merchant Paddy 2-15 Naas
SMACK THAT 4pts win – 3pts win Sky Captain 3-15 Naas