Cromwell hoping to rock Naas with Velvet Elvis in the Bar One Racing Leinster National
A field of 13 runners will contest Sunday’s Bar One Racing Leinster National at Naas Racecourse, the final €100,000 race of the Irish jumps season outside of the upcoming Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals.
The perfect pre-Cheltenham hors d’oeuvre will see Naas host an intriguing eight-race card which also includes a pair of Grade 3 contests, the Bar One Racing 'Guaranteed Overnight Prices' Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle and the Bar One 'Racing Extra Places at Cheltenham' Directors Plate Novice Chase.
Ahead of sending a host of Ireland’s leading Cheltenham Festival fancies across the water, both Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are well represented in the Bar One Racing Leinster National.
Mullins claimed the first two renewals of the Leinster National back in 2009 and 2010 with Emma Jane and Ballytrim before landing the race once again in 2019 with Pairofbrowneyes. This year the champion trainer has top weight Bronn as well as Minella Cocooner and Ontheropes to represent his leading stable.
Elliott is yet to etch his name on this particular roll of honour but is well represented with Irish Grand National entries Diol Ker and Frontal Assault
Trainer Gavin Cromwell will also saddle two of the 13-strong field with recent winners Velvet Elvis and Hartur D’arc both set to carry the colours of Derek Kierans.
Velvet Elvis claimed an eventful four-runner race at Fairyhouse last time out when Run Wild Fred and Corbetts Cross failed to complete, while Hartur D’arc opened his account in good style at Clonmel last month and Cromwell is happy to let both Irish Grand National entries take their chance in Sunday’s showpiece.
“We are looking forward to running Velvet Elvis and Hartur D’arc in the Leinster National at Naas on Sunday,” Cromwell said. “Velvet Elvis won the last day in Fairyhouse and maybe he was a fortunate winner on the day but he has come out of that race well. He’s clearly a staying chaser and hopefully conditions should suit. He seems in good form and hopefully he’ll run with credit.”
Cromwell added: “Hartur D’arc won nicely in the last day in a beginners chase at Clonmel. He gets into the Leinster National on Sunday off a lovely light weight. I’m not really sure about the trip of Sunday’s race for him but if he stays I think he’ll have a chance.”
Last year’s winner and course specialist Espanito Bello returns to his favourite track looking for a sixth success at the venue. Barry Connell’s veteran was a seven and a half-length victor over History Of Fashion in last year’s renewal and the latter is also back for Sunday’s race. History Of Fashion will join stable companion Stormy Judge for trainer Pat Fahy.
Macs Charm, who was fifth in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, will be the mount of Rachael Blackmore, while the Eoin Griffin-trained Fakiera and Michael McDonoagh’s Positive Thinker are two with lighter weights in the feature.
Helvic Dream, a Group 1 performer on the Flat for Noel Meade, is likely to have the domestic spring Festivals on his agenda and he features in a fascinating renewal of the Bar One Racing 'Guaranteed Overnight Prices' Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle.
Helvic Dream will face the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Mirazur West and Fun Fun Fun while other recent winners in the line up include Undeniable Alibi and Kilbarry Saint.
Tactical Move and Flanking Maneuver both hold Grade 1 entries and will lock horns in the Bar One Racing 'Extra Places at Cheltenham' Directors Plate Novice Chase. Jacksons Gold and Jumping Jet complete this four-runner field.
Three previous racecourse winners, Familiar Dreams, Femme Magnifique and Ma Belle Etoile add intrigue to the concluding Bar One Racing Bet 10 Get 50 Sign Up Offer Mares Bumper.
The first race at Naas on Sunday is due off at 1.07pm and further details ahead of racing can be found at naasracecourse.com
