Brazil too hot for his rivals in Naas opener

Brazil justified strong support under Mark Walsh when slamming his five rivals in the opening Private Security Ltd Rated Novice Hurdle at Naas.

The son of Galileo won a juvenile maiden for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh and showed the benefit of three previous outings over hurdles.

The 9/4 favourite (4/1 overnight) made most of the running and asserted at the penultimate flight for Walsh before stretching right away to score by a facile 13 lengths. Un Des Flos took the runner-up spot with Ebasari a further three and a quarter lengths back in third.

This race has proved a good guide to the Boodles at Cheltenham in recent years with both Band Of Outlaws and Aramax following up at the Festival four-year-old handicap.

However, trainer Padraig Roche indicated afterwards that Brazil may not travel next month saying, ““We'll probably stay at home with him for soft ground. JP and Frank will have a chat and see where we go next.

“He's after running three nice races and it's great that he got the job done there today.

“He handled the ground and jumped well so we're delighted. Mark was happy with him, I'd say it wasn't the strongest of races.”

Paddy Power, whose terms are non-runner no bet, cut Brazil into 6/1 (from 14/1) for the Boodles.

(GC & AM)