Only By Night
8th-Dec-2024
The two JP McManus mares have changed places in the market since betting opened. Zenta is now favourite in front of Nara and, if Zenta can be as good over fences as she is over hurdles, then she is the most likely winner by a fair way.
But it is not a given that she can be. She didn’t jump that well on her chasing now in this race last year, and she jumped poorly at Ballinrobe in May on her second run over fences. Maybe she will be better today, but she is risky.
Nara did jump well in her two chases, she jumped well until she fell at Sligo in early October, and she jumped well at Gowran Park last time. She should improve again, and she is a big danger, but I think that Only By Night is the value of the race.
Winner of a listed bumper at Navan in November last year, Gavin Cromwell’s mare was a good hurdler last season, she finished third in a listed mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Punchestown Festival on her final run of the season, but she took a big step forward on her debut this season, her first run over fences. Taking on talented geldings in Mirazur West and Westport Cove, her jumping was very good for a debutante. She travelled well just behind the pace, and she picked up smartly on the run to the last, going on to win impressively.
Mirazur West didn’t help his cause by jumping to his right, but Only By Night couldn't have been much more impressive than she was in winning. She goes well on this soft ground, this two-mile trip is ideal, and she could take another good step forward today.
ONLY BY NIGHT WON (ADV 5/2, SP 2/1)
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