Weekend Preview | Nenagh 16th February 2020

Race 1 - Tattersalls Ireland 4yo Maiden – Auction

A first four-year-old maiden here at Nenagh and it is the first auction race of 2020 confined to horses that were bought for E25,000 or less.

Save The Name is the only one of these to have seen competitive action in the past, and he was still very much in contention at Tallow last Sunday when parting company with his rider at the third last. The market will give the best guide as to what is expected of the newcomers.

Race 2 - Liam Buckley Car Sales 5yo Geldings Maiden

The well-related PAY THE PIPER was only denied a winning debut in the closest finish of the day at  Ballyvodock a fortnight ago, and it would not take much further improvement to see him go one better in this.

Land Afar is the big danger however, as he finished a length in front of last weekends Kirkistown winner Will Carver when making his debut at Dromahane over Christmas. Two other subsequent maiden winners have emerged from that race ensuring it is a notable piece of form.

Race 3 - CareyGlass Winner Of One

SAINT BENEDICT was sent off as the short-priced favourite in this race last year but ultimately came to grief inside the final mile. He could be back here to avenge that disappointment, and would certainly seem to be the one to beat after chasing home Some Man in a Hunter Chase at Clonmel.

Mr Bercow seemed to enjoy the testing conditions when making a winning debut at Ballindenisk and has to be respected, alongside Yes Des Taillons, a horse that is back from a break having won his maiden at Toomebridge on the opening day of the season.

Race 4 - Connellys Red Mills - ITM Ladies Series Ladies Open

STAKER WALLACE put up a huge performance when overcoming a near three year absence to chase home leading Cheltenham Foxhunters contender Billaway in a top class Naas contest last month and he could well step up here.

Lite Duties goes in search of the hat-trick and is proven in the conditions, whilst Reigning Supreme, Wounded Warrior, Venitien De Mai and Fennos Storm are others that cannot be discounted.

Race 5 - GAIN Equine Nutrition & Local Trainers 5yo+ Mares Maiden

LITTLE MO stepped up from her Tinahely debut to finish within four lengths of Fashion Nova in a competitive looking Bellharbour contest a fortnight ago. If she can continue in that progressive vein, she would seem to be the one to beat.

Caletta Storm was also not too far away on her debut at Carrigarostig, whilst Trump Lady is another for the shortlist, as she was little over two lengths behind subsequent last weekends Kirkistown winner Tango Theatre when third at Tyrella last month.

Race 6 - Millerect 6yo+ Geldings Maiden

Brian McCarthy may have the answer to this in CREATIVE VENTURE, as he powered home on his debut at Moig South in November, in a run which saw him just narrowly denied.

Makeshift has left David Nagle and is now with Eoin McDonagh. It is worth nothing that he was once sent off as favourite for a four-year-old maiden when with Cormac Doyle, whilst Top Drawer and Go Yeats are others for the shortlist.