Could We See A Cheltenham Contender At Naas?

Naas stage an action-packed eight race card with a couple of decent graded races that might throw up a Cheltenham contender or two.

It will be interesting to see if the Willie Mullins-trained Fast Buck can earn a place in one of the Grade 1 novices next month.

Stowaway Forever to shirk maiden tag

When winning his point-to-point as a four-year-old Stowaway Forever looked to have a very bright future but despite earning a cheque on 14 of his 19 starts he is yet to win on the track.

That could change this afternoon at Naas in the most valuable race on the card.

Philip Dempsey has gone to blinkers for the first time on Stowaway Forever and if they work the trick he could prove to be fairly well treated off a rating of 121.

Second at the track last time out behind today’s rival Poker Party, Stowaway Forever stayed on well on that occasion having looked beaten with a circuit to go and if blinkers assist him travelling throughout the race he could well reverse the form on this occasion meeting Poker Party on better terms.

The ground and the trip have proven to suit Stowaway Forever in the past and this could be the day he finally gets his head in front.

Curious Times can prove a step ahead of the handicapper

Curious Times caused a bit of an upset to win a maiden at Down Royal last month but if recapturing that form again for a second start in a row Curious Times could make a mockery of this handicap hurdle.

When fitted with a tongue tie for the first time last time out Curious Time beat Black Tears by nearly three lengths and that pair pulled clear of the remainder.

Black Tears has come out and won a maiden since in good style and in a race where a few of these have shown little for a while, Curious Times could be very well in off a rating of 113.

Curious Times had disappointed prior to Down Royal but did post a decent effort behind Dermot McLoughlin’s Canardier and it looks as though good ground is the key to the selection and he will certainly get that at Naas today.

Recommended bets
Stowaway Forever (9/1) – 2.30 Naas
Curious Times (9/4) – 4.05 Naas

*Prices correct at time of publication