Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 8th March 2026

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Naas

BAR 1 Betting “Best Odds Guaranteed Overnight In-Shop & Online” Maiden Hurdle 2.00
Colcannon
Noel Meade’s Colcannon is the one I think with the form to win this. I’ve been glossing over his run the last day at Navan, where to my mind he was a bit too keen, but at Punchestown back in November he was a decent second to Koktail Brut. That I’m finding strong form after Koktail Brut went from that to finish fourth behind Talk The Talk in the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. I wonder if Padraig Roche’s Sine Qua Non is fully fit after almost 13 months away, but his Bumper form was noted, so does look the one to watch. Colcannon to make the first win over hurdles, with Sine Qua Non and Doctor Elvis expected to go close.

BAR 1 Betting “Better Prices On Self-Service Betting Terminals” Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) 2.30
Blake (nap)
I will be taking ante post favourite Lazare De Star on for the Kingsfurze, and that is with Noel Meade’s Blake. I’m of the opinion that his head second to Koktail Brut in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in November is the standout piece of form for this Grade 3, and although Lazare De Star is progressive, he was turned over as an odds-on favourite the last day at Punchestown, so Blake gets my vote. Willie Mullins’ Davy Crockett has won two of the three starts over hurdles, but won’t be liking this deep ground I guess, so Blake it is.

BAR 1 Betting “Proud Sponsor Of Irish Racing” Handicap Hurdle 3.30
Better Times Ahead
Returning to hurdles on an advantageous mark, this Handicap Hurdle should be easy pickings for Better Times Ahead. But, you know what a dangerous statement to make that is to make in horseracing, so I’ll be sure to be up there to be shot down when it all goes awry at Naas! But, already twice a winner over the sticks, this handicap mark is very much below his chasing rating, so if converting his talent back to this discipline well, I do think he’ll be hard to beat. I suppose that this trip is a bit on the sharp side for Better Times Ahead, so Billy Lee Swagger would be my second choice.

BAR 1 Betting Leinster National Handicap Chase (Listed) 4.02
Uhavemeinstitches
Well, I’ll be taking the chance that James Motherway’s Uhavemeinstitches can see out this trip and be a surprise winner of the Leinster National. Although no match for Dinoblue in the Opera Hat here the last day, that 2 mile trip was definitely on the sharp side, so back up to 3 miles could unlock something extra, with this deep ground not a concern to me. Now then, JP McManus has a whole bus full of runners for this big prize pot, so after my selection, Goraibhmaithagat, Buachaillbocht and Harvard Guy must all command respect, and if the winner’s not crossing the line in the the green and gold hoops of JP McManus, then Gavin Cromwell’s The Lovely Man is an interesting one, unexposed so far over this sort of trip. Uhavemeinstitches to respond to this longer trip and win the Leinster National, I hope!

BAR 1 Betting “Download Our App For Cheltenham Rewards” beginners Chase 4.37
Ballygunner Castle (nb)
Well, I do think that this is a good opportunity for Ballygunner Castle to get off the mark over fences. To my mind, this should have been the case when going well at Punchestown the last day, but falling four out and taking the favourite, Slade Steel with him, wasn’t really the plan. So, given another chance here, with stablemates Supersundae and Spread Boss Ted likely to both get into this race. Ballygunner Castle needs a clear round, but is capable of winning this with that bit of luck.

BAR 1 Casino “Slot Games & Live Casino” Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 5.12
Poetisa
For me, this looks a really good chance for Poetisa to get back to winning ways, and it’s easy to see why after her fine run in the Apple’s Jade Hurdle the last day. I was giving all of you hot favourite Zanoosh for that Listed contest, and she was 8 lengths clear of Poetisa, which might you say would have been less but for a mistake at the last, but Poetisa was easily the best of the rest so gets my vote here returned to a Bumper. Likely to be a very short odds-on favourite, but to my mind there’s only one winner, and that is Poetisa.