Katie Walsh: The horses I like at Kempton and Naas
The Betway ambassador reveals the six horses that jump out of the cards this weekend on a Betway-sponsored card at Kempton and across the Irish Sea at Naas.
Kempton on Saturday
We’ve another great weekend of racing that includes the rescheduled Betway Kingwell Hurdle at Kempton Park (14:25).
It’s a good little race, and I think Tom Symonds’ Song For Someone will take some beating given that he’ll have a fitness edge over some of the others. He’s a good young horse who is still improving and will make some chaser next year.
Elgin is a really nice horse but may just lack that race sharpness.
The Betway Handicap Chase (15:35) used to be a good trial for the Gold Cup – there have been some great renewals over the years. Dad [Ted Walsh] trained Commanche Court to be second in this a good few years ago.
I do think Double Shuffle will run a good race. He just got bogged down in the heavy ground at Ascot last time out. It’s a wide-open race again this year and Tom George has a good record in this contest. Kempton Park will suit him and he’s a good, solid each-way bet.
In the Betway Pendil Novices’ Chase (13:15), I like the look of Who Dares Wins for Alan King. He finished second on his last two starts and that experience will not be lost on him. He’s a good dual-purpose horse and this should be right up his street.
It’ll be good for him to win a Grade 2 over fences having been placed in top races on the Flat, too. He must be a joy to own.
Naas on Sunday
We’re looking forward to seeing how well Any Second Now runs in the Handicap Chase (14:10).
Seabass, who I rode to be placed in the Grand National, won this before his superb run at Aintree, so we’re hoping that it’s a good path to follow, although we do think Castlegrace Paddy is the one to beat.
Ross [O’Sullivan] also has two good chances on Sunday.
Bythesametoken was very unlucky last time out and will hopefully make amends for that narrow defeat in the 16:40.
We also like the chances of An Fraoch Mor in the 14:40. He’s in a great form at home and, with conditions in his favour, we’re hopeful that he’ll go close.
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