15:25 Naas

Sunday 25 January 2026

All12:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:2515:55

Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 34.00s

Flicker Of Hope¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: M Fahey| OR: 142| CD

3/1

Four-time hurdle winner last season and taken really well to fences, following a Fairyhouse maiden success with a win in a C&D novice 16 days ago. More to come and can take the step up in class in his stride.

Form: 3PF/311

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Argento Boy²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

5/2

Fell on chase debut but made no mistake in another maiden at Punchestown (23.9f, good to soft) 3 weeks later. Sure to improve again for top stable seeking a sixth win in this since 2019.

Form: 1075-F1

Blaze The Way⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 140| D

5/1

Useful chaser. Career best when winning 9-runner handicap chase (15/2) at Cheltenham (26.3f, good) 44 days ago, suited by increase in trip. Should give another good account.

Form: 8/56241-

Bossofthebrownies^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 136

15/2

Useful chaser. 7/2, good 6½ lengths third of 6 to Flicker of Hope in novice chase at this course (24.8f, soft) 16 days ago.

Form: 432-133

Eagle Fang²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Philip Byrnes| T: W Durkan| OR: 142| C

12/1

Useful on Flat and over hurdles. Quickly showed he's equally as good over fences when winning a Thurles maiden in November but went backwards from that when last of 6 in Cheltenham novice on New Year's Day.

Form: 3705/15-

Lonesome Boatman^p⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel King| T: Sean Allen| OR: 128

66/1

Useful chaser. Winner in chase at Cork in November. Creditable third of 15 in handicap chase (17/2) at Fairyhouse (30f, soft) 56 days ago. Uphill task.

Form: 344/413

The Enabler^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

9/1

Pretty smart effort to win a Fairyhouse novice chase in November but only 18¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Kappa Jy Pyke when stepped up to Grade 3 company at Punchestown since. This longer trip needs to spark improvement.

Form: 006-314

The Great Nudie¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Bowe| OR: 127| C

11/2

Dual hurdle winner and made it second time lucky over fences when making all in course maiden (20.1f, soft, 10/3) 16 days ago. Up in trip. May have more to come in this sphere.

Form: 65/2431

Forecasts

Argento Boy (5/2), Flicker Of Hope (3/1), Blaze The Way (5/1), The Great Nudie (11/2), Bossofthebrownies (15/2), The Enabler (9/1), Eagle Fang (12/1), Lonesome Boatman (66/1)

FLICKER OF HOPE impressed in a C&D novice earlier in the month and is taken to improve again and see off Willie Mullins Punchestown maiden winner Argento Boy. Blaze The Way posted a pretty smart effort in handicap company at Cheltenham last month and is next on the list.