Kings Halo 

Kings Halo was impressive in winning the opening novices’ handicap chase at Naas on Sunday. Kicked out of the gate by Danny Mullins, he never saw a rival. His jumping was good, and he had his field well stretched out from early. He was niggled along a little at the top of the home straight as his rivals closed up a little behind him, but, once into the home straight, he came away again. He was only about two lengths clear as they jumped the second last, but he cleared away from there, finishing off his race strongly up the hill and winning by 18 lengths in the end in a good time.

The handicapper raised James Dullea’s horse by 11lb for this to a mark of 118, but he was taking on 130-rated horses here, he won’t have to go up in grade. He is nine, but he has raced just seven times over fences, and there is every chance that he will be able to continue his progression now. Danny Mullins gets a good tune out of him, their record together now reads 12121, and he has improved since these aggressive tactics have been adopted. He was only just caught by Clonmeen at Punchestown on his first attempt at three miles on his previous run, but Clonmeen is an under-rated horse, and he is worth another try at three miles. He will be of interest at any distance between two and a half and three miles, and he handles this soft ground well.

Naas, 28^th January 2024