Naas is a galloping left handed track with a steady climb to the finish and a bit of proven stamina even in a 2 mile race is never a negative. The Going tends usually to be pretty accurate here although it can be heavier down the back straight as thats where a lot of the water drains to.

 

A few of those at very big prices are capable of winning races and have done fairly recently but the likes of Mr Jackman, Lake Chad; Varna Gold and Andratx tend to be better on Autumn ground and in the case of the latter pair dring fitness at that time from Flat racing seasons in the summer. Of them I think VARNA GOLD may be the most interesting for a small shrapnel bet. Also in that group at very big prices is Yaha Fizz, 135 rated over Hurdles in its prime, a 12 year old now down to a mark of 104 and if you subscribe to the view that every horse can find a winning mark then 100/1 is a silly price!

 

Gouland Chose a 13 year old veteran made a promising return to action recently but would almost certainly prefer better ground and may just still need the run, Instant Return has been off for 645 days but prior to that was very promising and one to track onwards after today if showing any glimpses of that kind of form, Curious Times is 11lbs above last winning mark and has shown mixed messages on Going this soft but is another to track onwards for the weeks ahead.  Prengarde has won 5 of its last 6 races in France but at 2 miles 7 furlongs to 3 miles 3 furlongs so it will be interesting to follow that one too over longer trips. Another I will definitely be adding to the Tracker is Stormy Judge for the Hanlons, off for 351 days and one that they have been clearly patient with. Golf Marin for Tony martin is another that may need the run but is already in the Tracker (see below)

 

Take All is the early favourite but reverts to Hurdles here and I'm more confident about BIG KING, the Yard is in form (as the Trackers below will note); it won at Navan off 104 and was placed at Leopardstown off a mark of 115, it will surely come on for a recent return to action and has run a third here too at 2 miles and 3 furlongs off a mark of 119 so 120 today looks a nice mark. That Course form, winning form, form on the Going and also a bit of proven stamina make him an each way banker hopefully.

 

I also fear THE GRADUAL SLOPE runner up over two and a half miles last time, 4th in a big field at Leopardstown in December over 2 miles and on a nice mark of 109, he looks e/w banker material too.

 

At bigger Odds I've already touched on VARNA GOLD but also think that AARONS DAY has an excellent chance here. He is being backed this morning which is frustrating in some ways but a Course winner and a Distance winner and runner up over Course and Distance who is best in heavy Going, has proven stamina and done well in this race before.

 

It's a quiet week in Ireland now so I'll have a full tip on BIG KING, Trackers on THE GRADUAL SLOPE and AARONS DAY and a shrapnel bet on Varna Gold.