It’s Irish Nectar’s Time Of Year

Autumn 2023 saw Irish Nectar record two wins, at the end of his juvenile season. He has had to wait once again in 2024 with not only tough early season races but ground going against him. With his favoured ground conditions Irish Nectar hit the mark again when taking the 6f William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap at Doncaster.

There is a good program for 3yo sprinters but it also very competitive, especially at the start of the season. Irish Nectar began the year off 87 due to his two wins which meant that he would take on a few top handicaps. Whilst not being disgraced, the ground was too quick for him. As the conditions eased his form picked up and despite not looking so in the results, he had been unlucky. Poor draw and some slow starts over 5f suggested that it was time to step back up to 6f.

Doncaster proved to be very testing conditions. With Shane Gray in the saddle, Irish Nectar jumped a lot better than he had been but was still retrained through the early stages. Sitting towards the rear didn’t actually give too much ground away as the 9 runners edged over to race towards the stands side. Despite the turf kicking up quite severely, the pace was strong enough as the field raced through the first couple of furlongs.

Racing had been testing all day and this looks to be the same as the field passed halfway. Still well bunched, the lead changed hands as Shane started to work away on his mount. They were racing quite far out but there were also plenty of chances. Irish Nectar was beginning to make headway as they moved inside the final 2f so Shane switched him out to get a clear run. This move saw about 5 horses in a line, looking to make their challenges.

Irish Nectar picked up well when he saw daylight and came through to join the leader hitting the 1f marker. He looked full of running but as he took the lead he hung to his right. Shane tried to adjust but couldn’t quite do it in time, causing a bit of interference. Irish Nectar wasn’t stopping though and he continued to find, galloping out in the final 1/2 furlong. Down the near side, his last challenger was rattling home and eating into the small lead that he had. It was a 3 way go as they hit the line but no photo was necessary as Irish Nectar secured the win by a nose.

Irish Nectar loves it when he going gets testing and combined with the step back up to 6f, it worked a treat here. He hasn’t had the best of luck this season but he does look like a sprinter who can on from here, especially at either ends of the season when conditions suit. There is another race over C&D which will likely be his next outing but Irish Nectar could be one to keep on the right side in the future.