All eyes were on Rachael Blackmore at Naas on Monday, as the Grand National-winning jockey was returning from injury that had kept her on the sidelines for three months.
Her first ride back was on the classy Slade Steel for regular supporter Henry de Bromhead, who had been touted as having a leading chance in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
However, despite being sent off odds-on (8/15) with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK for the Bar One Racing Beginners Chase at Naas, the 6 year-old was beaten 1 1/4 lengths into second by the Wille Mullins-trained Lecky Watson.
Meaning jockey Rachael Blackmore, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022, will now look to future rides for her first win back from injury.
WATCH: Slade Steel Running Second at Naas To Lecky Watson
Lecky Watson defeats Slade Steel at @NaasRacecourse! @WillieMullinsNH's charge gets the better of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner on his return to action and chasing debut 👀
What did you make of that race? 🤔@BarOneRacing | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/Sr6moVsBSC
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 16, 2024
Lecky Watson and Paul Townend Outgun Slade Steel At Naas
Slade Steel saw off Lecky Watson in a Grade Two Novice Hurdle at Naas last December – however, the tables were turned over fences at the same track on Monday as the Willie Mullins-trained 6 year-old outgunned Rachael Blackmore’s first ride back.
Jockey Paul Townend had Lecky Watson handy for much of the race and even though Slade Steel and Blizzard Of Oz travelled well in behind, neither pair could pick up in the closing stages to overhaul him.
The win was made even more impressive as Lecky Watson was also coming back from 229 days off, whereas Slade Steel had had the benefit of a recent run when finishing second to Better Days Ahead at Navan in November.
As a result Lecky Watson has been cut in price with the best betting sites in the UK for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 12th March 2025.
While Slade Steel was pushed out in the market, with some horse racing fans suggesting a step back in trip to maybe the Arkle Novices’ Chase over 2 miles might be more suitable.
Mullins was winning this Beginners Chase for a fourth time since 2019 – after Bapaume (2019), Capodanno (2021) and Blood Destiny (2023) all won for the Closutton handler in recent years.
Full Result (Naas 12:30pm)
- 1st – Lecky Watson (100/30) (Willie Mullins)
- 2nd – Slade Steel (8/15 fav) (Henry De Bromhead)
- 3rd – Blizzard Of Oz (10/1) (Willie Mullins)
