Naas Racecourse in Ireland hosted a day of National Hunt racing on , with conditions ranging from soft to heavy on the hurdle course and heavy on the chase course. The meeting saw several notable performances and results, offering a snapshot of the current state of Irish horse racing.
Elliott and Kennedy Dominate Early Races
Trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy enjoyed a successful start to the day, securing victory in the opening race at with Highland Crystal. The four-year-old Irish-bred horse, carrying a weight of 11 stone 7 pounds, finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Saratoga, with five runners completing the race. Kilmeaden, the favorite, was unplaced. The win generated a tote win payout of €2.38.
The duo continued their strong form in the 14:15 race, with Jalon D’oudairies winning by a significant margin of 27 lengths and 5 ½ lengths. Despite twelve runners and nine non-runners, Jalon D’oudairies, a French-bred horse, was heavily favored at 1/10 and delivered on expectations. This race also saw a substantial tote win payout of €1.10.
O’Sullivan and Gilligan Secure Victory in the 13:40
The 13:40 race saw a win for trainer R O’Sullivan and jockey Danny Gilligan with Raise You Up. The Irish-bred horse finished two lengths ahead of Grey Jude in a race featuring five runners. The tote win payout for this race was €2.38.
Hesgonethatway Takes the 14:50 Race
Hesgonethatway, trained by P J Rothwell and ridden by Brian Barry, won the 14:50 race, finishing 11 lengths ahead of Moudan and 9 lengths ahead of Fairyland Opera. The race, which included twelve runners, saw Boher Road, the favorite, unplaced. This race yielded a significantly higher tote win payout of €13.70, reflecting the longer odds of the winner.
Upcoming Races and Prize Money
The remaining races on the card, scheduled for , , and , were still to be run at the time of reporting. The Apache Peak race at 15:25 offered a winner’s prize of €6,000. The 16:00 race, featuring Bioluminescence, had a winner’s prize of €15,000, while the final race of the day, with Galon De Vauzelle and Hunters Yarn among the contenders, offered a winner’s prize of €8,100.
Going Report and Race Conditions
The going report indicated that the chase course was heavy, with soft to heavy patches, while the hurdle course was soft to heavy, also with heavy patches in places. This challenging ground likely influenced the performances throughout the day, favoring horses with stamina and experience in such conditions.
The SR Ventilation Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle, the first race of the day, was a hurdle race for four-year-olds rated 130 or less, with a total prize fund of €16,000. The winner received €9,600, with decreasing amounts for subsequent placings down to €320 for sixth place. Weights were set at 11 stone, with penalties applying for previous hurdle race wins.
Betting and Market Dynamics
The results demonstrate the volatility inherent in horse racing, with favorites failing to deliver in some races and longer-odds contenders succeeding. The varying tote payouts reflect these shifts in market expectations and the unpredictable nature of the sport. The significant payout in the 14:50 race, for example, suggests a considerable upset, with punters favoring Boher Road who ultimately did not place.
The presence of well-regarded trainers like Gordon Elliott and R O’Sullivan, coupled with experienced jockeys such as Jack Kennedy and Danny Gilligan, highlights the importance of established partnerships in achieving success on the track. The Irish racing circuit continues to be a competitive arena, attracting both domestic and international talent.
