Sunday 24th of February
Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Day
First Race 2.10pm
The paddypowerpoker.com Newlands Steeplechase meeting is generally regarded as the last trial for the Queen Mother Champion Chase before the Cheltenham Festival.
Noel Meade’s Sir Oj landed this event in 2006 defeating the well supported favourite, Nickname, after a good battle but Nickname had little difficulty in justifying odds on favouritism in last year’s renewal defeating subsequent Dan Moore Memorial Chase winner, Gemini Lucy. Successful recently at Gowran Park, a race in which he defeated the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Kicking King, and the 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase Winner, Newmill, Nickname is likely to go for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in early February.
Over the years, this race has been won by several very smart performers with pride of place going to Opera Hat who landed this event on three consecutive occasions from 1996 to 1998. Subsequent Aintree Grand National hero, Papillon was also another notable winner in 1999, while Knife Edge, His Song and Central House have been other useful sorts that have got their name on the roll of honour.
On a great day’s racing, the concluding bumper race has attracted its fair share of notable winners with Pizarro proving successful in 2002 before going on to defeat Rhinestone Cowboy in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival three weeks later. In 2006, Joe Crowley’s Hairy Molly also managed to complete the same feat as he bolted home by over twelve lengths at Naas before emerging best in a tight finish under Paul Carberry at the Cotswolds.
Racecard Details:
2.10pm The Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet 1800 721 821 Maiden Hurdle of €11,000
2.40pm The paddypowertrader.com Handicap Hurdle of €20,000
3.10pm The Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Steeplechase (Grade 2) of €50,000
3.40pm The paddypower.com Johnstown Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) of €50,000
4.10pm The paddypowerpoker.com Newlands Steeplechase (Grade 2) of €60,000
4.40pm The W.A. Osborne & Co. Handicap Hurdle of €15,000
5.10pm The paddypowercasino (Pro/Am_) INH Flat Race of €10,000
CHELTENHAM PARADE RING PREVIEW
During Racing, our Parade Ring Commentator will interview Trainers and Jockeys about their Cheltenham Festival Contenders. Paddy Power will also mark your card for the day ahead and give you some horses to watch in Cheltenham.
A GREAT DAY OUT
Live Music before racing with Eamon Brady, FREE Paddy Power Giveaways and live racing action on the Big Screen.
General Admission: €15
Students & OAP’s: €9
Children Under 14: FREE
20% Discount: On Admission for groups of ten or more (must be pre-booked and pre-paid)
€60 Panoramic Restaurant Package still available includes admission, racecard, delicious four course dinner and table reserved for the day.
Contact: (045) 897391 or email goracing@naasracecourse.com for more information.