RACING:FOR A €16,500 race, today's Naas feature has attracted a top level field with a pair of Grade One winners, Bog Warrior and Blackstairmountain, lining up.
Blackstairmountain took advantage of Bog Warrior’s dramatic exit at Leopardstown over Christmas but got stuck in the mud subsequently in the Arkle behind Flemenstar.
He is on a retrieval mission here but most attention will linger on Bog Warrior, who looked a potential superstar when trotting up in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. He is also entered in tomorrow’s Moriarty. “He runs on Saturday. That’s the first choice and Leopardstown is second choice,” said Tony Martin yesterday. “We’re ready to go again. We’re happy to let him go.”
Fans of Shot From The Hip’s chance in that Moriarty will be hoping for a boost in the Beginners Chase from the former Coral Cup hero Ninetieth Minute who ran a fine race on his comeback at Fairyhouse. Midnight Oil was a very decent handicapper for Luca Cumani last year and can secure a winning start to his jumping career in the opener.
