HE’S THE NEXT BEST THING
Destination to dominate feature contest at Naas
NEXT Destination should advertise his Cheltenham credentials by winning the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle in Naas.
The exciting six-year-old, current favourite for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, will be a red-hot favourite for today’s feature, which his trainer Willie Mullins has won six times.
And, with Samcro missing from the big-race field, Next Destination undoubtedly sets the standard.
Fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March, Next Destination has been impressive in both starts over hurdles.
He powered clear up the Naas hill when winning his maiden by 13 lengths in November and, last time, eased clear under David Mullins to beat two of today’s rivals Cracking Smart and Jetz in the Grade Navan Novice Hurdle.
Paul Townend, who partnered Next Destination to his maiden victory, is back on board today. And the Dubai Destination is expected to land the spoils.
Mullins, who achieved a ‘three-in-a-row’ in the race before Gordon Elliott’s Death Duty interrupted the sequence last year, also runs French import Duc Des Genievres, the subject of favourable reports.
Next Destination should confirm Navan form with Cracking Smart (wearing first-time cheekpieces today) and Jetz.
And the biggest threat might come from Joseph O’brien’s Speak Easy, winner of his only point-to-point and impressive on his hurdling debut in Navan.
Successful three times over hurdles, including a Listed success at Killarney in May, Asthuria should justify odds-on favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms Mares Beginners’ Chase.
This seven-year-old fell twice during her hurdling career, when upsides the classy Shattered Love (a Grade 1 winner at Leoparsdtown recently) at Punchestown and Thurles.
And she did little wrong on her chasing debut in Thurles back in November, making the running and jumping well before being collared and beaten by Billy’s Hope.
With that experience under her belt, she should be very tough to beat today.
The Mouse Morris-trained Groteqsue, who went close against the smart Bacardys in his bumper days, appeals in the opening INH Stallion Owners Maiden Hurdle.
This lightly-raced Gigginstown-owned gelding made a pleasing return to action at Leopardstown over Christmas, when finishing 17 lengths third behind Paloma Blue.
Sure to strip fitter today, and highly-regarded by his trainer, Grotesque faces less demanding opposition today and looks set to open his account over obstacles.
And Henry de Bromhead’s Avenir D’une Vie, who unseated his rider in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown, might make amends in the four-runner Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase, despite the presence of intriguing French import Demi Sang.