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Naas Sun Apr 9 2yo race review

Naas 2yo Sunday Apr 9
EBF Maiden
5f, 1m2.95s
(slow by 5.15s on RP standards)
Yielding (Soft in Places)

T For Tango, Mar 2. €80k yearling. Jumped well, in touch with leaders on slow early pace. Stoked up at the 2f and full bore around 1f out. Came away from the field nicely, but runner-up would have claimed him in a couple more strides. Nice success for a small yard, trainer has never had 10 winners in a single code in one year but already has two on the Flat this season. This is his highest RPR rated Flat horse for several years.

Guessthebill, Mar 17. First foal of a Class 5 winning dam, by a first- (and only-) season sire, but well related. A little slow to begin but moved up to sit on the pace. Niggled at the 2f and was the only horse capable of going with T For Tango when he kicked away. Stuck on well and would have won in a couple more strides. Impressive run, more to come from this one.

Sioux Nation, Jan 25. Jumped smartly to position on the (slow) pace. Challenged by the winner who soon kicked away. No acceleration under pressure but kept on OK to just hold third. Favourite probably based on R.Moore/AP O'Brien combination and being an early foal rather than home form. Disappointing but has time on his side.

Diamond Heartbeat, Jan 29. Wore noseroll. Jumped well, eased to find cover, sat on edge of very bunched pack. Pulled out to the centre of the track at the 2f, on thr back of Guessthebill. Left behind by that horse but made nice ground late and just missed out on third. Out of a mare who peaked at an official rating of 54, but sire has found some decent ones and this was a nice run. Unlikely to be bound for stardom, but one to keep an eye on in moderate company.

Sebastiano Ricci, Feb 13. Sent out second favourite (backed fom 3/1 into 9/4). Jumped with the field, over-raced early as pace was too slow. Awkwardly placed in the middle of the bunch, wasting energy over-racing and wasn't able to push clear until a furlong and a half out. Was left a few lengths behind by that stage. Once he got going, his pace was in line with the leaders but never going to catch them and was eased down towards the line when he feasibly could have claimed third. Certainly should have finished ahead of Diamond Heartbeat. Out of a Montjeu mare, so expect him to improve with distance.

Damselfly, Feb 17. Homebred, only filly in the field. Urged forward at the start to hold the lead on the rail. Under pressure at the furlong and weakened to finish sixth, just over a length behind Sioux Nation who had been alongside her the whole way.

Natty Dresser, Mar 23. Settled mid-pack, eased back to last to make his run. Clear last at the 1f pole, lengthened stride and ran on nicely without being stretched. but a long way behind placegetters. Not much expected of him on debut, started 33/1. Worth keeping an eye on, particularly over further.

Moltoir, Mar 22. Sat behind the lead in a bunched pack, didn't appear to like racing so tightly. Steadily went backwards from the 2f to near last at 1/2f. Given one crack with the whip and switched back on, making late ground. Might take a while for the penny to drop with this one, in shrewd stable, don't underestimate.

Legatum, Mar 16. Always near the rear (up on the pace on debut), restrained by jockey early but nothing there when asked. Low nursery rating assured, he ain't much good.

Castrogiovanni, Mar 31. Jumped ok, sat behind the lead on the rail. Gap closed in front of him at the 2f then went steadily backwards. Already gelded, started 33s, no lofty ambitions for this one.

KEY POINTS
On Racing Post Ratings, this is the highest-rated 2yo race in Britain or Ireland before Easter so we can expect a few winners to come out of this. The first two look smart, we'll see them in better races. Behind them, most look to have some talent but remember the time was nothing special - more of a sit-sprint affair. In the right races, Diamond Heartbeat and Natty Dresser will find the winners' stall in time.

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