Johnny Ward's tips: King "should really prove hard to beat"
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Thu 21 Dec 2023
Irish racing expert Johnny Ward expects a Cheltenham Festival winner to make a winning return on a stellar day of racing action in Ireland on Saturday, live on Racing TV.
JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios returns to action in the BetVictor Fishery Lane Hurdle (12.50pm) at Naas on Saturday
For early November, this week was bitterly cold at times, which will delight those jumps aficionados who could not wait for the winter to arrive.
Down Royal was an excellent fare last week and, despite the Breeders' Cup being the main attraction on Saturday evening, Naas' card has a great deal of quality.
There's the problem of backing horses following a break and speculating over fitness to an extent, but beautiful ground looks assured in County Kildare.
With racing over the National fences across the Irish Sea at Aintree, it is a hell of a day's punting.
You could wager in the first at Doncaster before noon, and 12 hours later be deciding what to back in the Breeders' Cup Classic! Be lucky, and please remember to gamble responsibly.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 4/9
This gelding should win, simple as. He has the best bumper form and, by a mile, the best hurdles form by virtue of his fourth to the exciting Echoes In Rain in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 2ndSP: 6/4
I was a bit surprised to see the Triumph Hurdle winner as big as 7-4 for this contest on Friday. He was clearly wrong at the Punchestown Festival when an 11-8 chance in a race won by Jeff Kidder, who was sent off at 22-1, and is among his opposition again here.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge was all but unbeatable prior to that as a juvenile, and he should win this. "He's really well," says his trainer.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 5thSP: 6/1
This is a cracking contest. Big Debates is thriving, Wa Wa bolted up on his stable debut and keep an eye on Brandy Harbour in the betting.
However, King Alex is thrown in. He was only 5-4 when last seen in a novice chase when there was an obvious excuse and, given his hurdles form and the fact he hacked up on his seasonal debut last year, he should really prove hard to beat.
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