RACE REPORT

Meeting: Chepstow

Date: 27/12/02

Going: heavy

Winnings: £20,880

Race: Western Daily Press Juvenile Hurdle Fianl, Grade 1

Distance: 2m ½f

1st

NAS NA RIOGH (IRE)

5/1

10.9

2nd

Lewis Island

100/30

11.0

3rd

Lougaroo

9/2

11.0

Distances: 11, 19

Time: 4m 20. 80s

Ran: 8

Trainer: NJ Henderson

Jockey: M Foley

Owner: Brian Twojohns

Not an entirely satisfactory running, with Lewis Island going off fast and quickly opening up a big lead, while the pack were happy to let him get on with it, reckoning he would come back to them.
So it proved, as NAS NA RIOGH who had led the pursuit throughout collared the leader early in the home straight and, with her rider looking round for dangers, Nicky Henderson's filly was always going to win from that point.
NAS NA RIOGH had had her colours lowered by Tramantano at Newbury and by Don Fernando at Cheltenham since making all at Sandown early last month, but the daughter of Kings Theatre clearly handled these conditions very well, benefited from racing prominently and won well on the day.
Her recent efforts have suggested that there are better juveniles than her around when the ground is not as gruelling - but this was clearly a smart performance and she will win more good races when conditions are as testing.

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