Naas Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Saturday’s Seven-Race Card

It’s day one of Naas Racecourse’s October Flat meeting, the season finale before the jumps are back next month. Today’s card features seven races, including the Listed Steels Stakes and the Birdcatcher Nursery Handicap.

Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Naas card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing betting.

Up first is a two-year-olds’ maiden over a mile (2.00). Coolmore have a newcomer here; Choir Boy, who appears to be the stable’s first string with Ronan Whelan onboard. Nicely bred by Wootton Bassett, he is a smart prospect. Second string Cape Code placed on both of his starts in September and is a big player, especially given five pounds by Jack Cleary. Dermot Weld’s Handani looks a serious horse too, but the trainer’s juveniles have been a bit quiet this term.

A mile maiden for horses aged three and older is next (2.35). There isn’t a huge amount of quality form on show here, so there shouldn’t be too much to stand in the way of Ger Lyons’ Diego El Queso, who has been narrowly denied on each of his last three starts. That said, if Maestro Bernstein can take a good step forward from a mediocre debut on heavy ground, this half-brother to Group winning two-year-old Battleground is a serious player on his pedigree.

Race three is the six-furlong Birdcatcher Nursery Handicap (3.10). Johnny Murtagh’s Nakamura seeks a hat-trick, with his rise in the weights handily counteracted by the employ of seven-pound claimer Yudish Geerdharry. He could get that third win here, but Felix Somary also is of interest, provided the ground doesn’t get any softer. Gavin Cromwell’s Joyful Tidings makes some appeal on handicap debut too, having been far from disgraced in three promising starts so far.

The feature race, the six-furlong Steels Stakes, is next (3.50). Jack Davison’s Thunderbear has tended to do well at this level and should have a good chance, back into Listed company after running well in a big handicap at Ascot last time. The top-rated Big Gossey looks a little too inconsistent at present to be relied upon today, after a 12 length defeat last time at the Curragh.

The fifth race is a five-furlong handicap (4.25). Arklow Lad makes plenty of appeal on handicap debut after winning his last maiden start at Bellewstown on soft ground. Escaping Thejungle also looks to be a big player, up just one pound from a close second of 10 last time out, and has Wesley Joyce’s three pounds in hand too.

Second to last is a seven-furlong fillies’ maiden (5.00). We have two debutants here; Mullacurry Maid, who wears a tongue strap for her debut, and Not So Profitable. They are easy to look past, though, with the likes of Treasure Rose likely to be a front finisher, with Therewillbeglory also tempting in first-time cheekpieces having placed on each of her three starts so far.

The finale is a seven-furlong handicap (5.30). The consistent course and distance winner Rowdy Yeats should go well, especially if there is any rain, while Natalia Lupini Bishopton seeks a hat-trick, having won his last two starts at Down Royal and Dundalk. It would be a surprise if Genuine Article was to run a poor race, given his usual consistency, and he has Jack Kearney’s three pounds to help him along this time Naas selections - Saturday:

2.00 - Choir Boy 

2.35 - Diego El Queso 

3.10 - Nakamura 

3.50 - Thunderbear 

4.25 - Escaping Thejungle 

5.00 - Treasure Rose 

5.30 - Genuine Article