WALSH’S NEWEST STAR IS SECOND TO NONE
Promising novice can make it three in a row
THE talented Any Second Now can take centre stage at Naas this afternoon with victory in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Onside App Novice Hurdle.
The Ted Walsh-trained gelding has gone unbeaten in both his starts to date, and looks a huge talent.
On his debut at Navan, he was allowed to go off at 66/1, but he made light of those odds with a smooth success.
Last month at Punchestown he coped well with a step up to Grade 2 level to defeat Crack Mome and the capable Runfordave.
He is undoubtedly one of the most promising novice hurdlers in the country and has more to offer. Any Second Now has to shoulder a Grade 2 penalty, but he still looks up to the task.
He could have most to fear from Labaik, but there is a risk associated with supporting this gelding, as he has refused to race on his last two outings.
He also showed similar tendencies on the Flat.
However, he is a classy sort and his Grade 3 victory over stablemate Mick Jazz at Navan in November makes for good reading.
If Labaik does jump off with the other runners he will provide Any Second Now with a major test. In the valuable novice handicap chase, a hopeful vote goes to Total Recall, who bids to land another good prize for Sandra Hughes and Roger Loughran.
On his latest outing he finished down the field in the Leopardstown Chase, but his rider was badly hampered early in the straight.
This gelding enjoys heavy ground and the two-and-ahalf mile trip is ideal, while he also won a good handicap hurdle at this track last term.
The Grade 3 chase might fall to decent and reliable handicapper Pairofbrowneyes. He has work to do at the weights, but he is a solid sort who has form in quality handicaps. The English challenger Just Cameron may well prefer better ground, while Clarcam has had a lot of racing lately.
In the three mile handicap chase, Larry Capri makes appeal after he won with something to spare at Fairyhouse last month.
The opening maiden hurdle should fall to the Willie Mullins-trained Kolumbus.
His second to the subsequent Grade 1 hero Bacardys in a Leopardstown maiden in December is the best form on offer.
Blast Of Koeman has yet to match his quality bumper form over jumps, but he is worth another chance in the handicap hurdle.