12.55 Nursery Of Champions Maiden Hurdle 2m

It was an impressive performance from Lynches Knock when winning an academy hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, and his experience of three previous hurdles runs should be a big asset to him here. It remains to be seen how deep a race that was - some of the academy hurdle form has been mixed - but he finished out strongly last time in a fashion that suggested he should relish a long straight like he’ll face here at Naas.

The Irish debutants look the biggest dangers here, however. Mon Creuset, one of two French recruits for Gigginstown House Stud, is the choice of Paul Townend from three Willie Mullins runners. He won a mile-and-a-half AQPS bumper in October - similar to the same connections’ Moulin Labbe (to be ridden by Brian Hayes). Danny Mullins’ mount Kai Lung has far more experience from the flat in France and has been fitted with a hood for his hurdling bow. The beautifully-bred Muhaajim, who cost 62,000gns out of William Haggas’ yard, is well worth watching for Charles Byrnes. Saratoga was talented on the flat and is entitled to improve on his Punchestown hurdling third on New Year’s Eve.

SELECTION: LYNCHES KNOCK

Next best: Mon Creuset

1.25 Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

Having to give El Fabiolo 4lb at Punchestown last time was much too tough a task for Glen Kiln on New Year’s Eve, but he did fare best of those trying to take on the high-class Mullins runner. He would have won a Grade 3 at Tipperary earlier this season but for late drama, and he’s been on the improve as a seven-year-old. He’s guaranteed to be fit, has won around here before, is ground-versatile and is competitive enough at the weights to make him look likely to play a part here.

It’s great to see Workahead back in action after nearly a year on the sidelines (disappointed in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when last seen). He looked particularly exciting when beating William Munny at Leopardstown in December 2024, though he’d obviously be entitled to need the run now. Karbau is also making his first start since the Punchestown Festival and is rated 1lb higher than Workahead (and 2lb clear of Glen Kiln). He, stablemate Kel Histoire and Farren Glory could potentially be interesting to watch here with a view to Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdles.

SELECTION: GLEN KILN

Next best: Workahead

1.55 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 2f 150yd

Point-to-point winner Arcadian Emperor came to Willie Mullins and J.P. McManus with a big reputation and perhaps might have been expected to fare a little better when fourth (albeit only beaten four lengths) in a Leopardstown Christmas Festival bumper. That said, the stable’s bumper runners have really taken their form up another notch in the last couple of weeks and there’s every chance he could show better now - albeit it’s arguably a little later than ideal in the season for a smart novice to win a maiden hurdle.

Kilgame would have been beaten further in fourth but for El Cairos’ final-flight exit, but he did run well enough to reach the frame at Leopardstown over Christmas. Shuttle Diplomacy is yet to reach the heights as a hurdler that he did in bumpers but his latest Christmas second behind King Rasko Grey at Limerick was an encouraging showing.

SELECTION: ARCADIAN EMPEROR

Next best: Kilgame

2.25 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2026 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f 150yd

He’s clearly a better chaser than hurdler, but running off 29lb lower than when third on his last start over fences at Gowran Park makes Rebel Gold of interest in a race like this - especially at a track where he has saved his best for in the past. Eoin Staples’ 5lb claim is another positive for his chances. It could be a big ask to expect him to deliver as a 13-year-old, but he has been effective on deep ground before and might represent a bit of value in a race like this.

King Kali is one who will relish conditions, having won at Limerick over Christmas. Even with 7lb more on his back, he could have enough in reserve to take another step forward (this being only his third run of the season). Matt Connor ran well at Leopardstown over Christmas and this doesn’t look as deep a race for him, if he can handle the ground. Beyond Your Dreams has every chance of improving from her last start, and is worth a market check.

SELECTION: REBEL GOLD

Next best: King Kali

2.55 Aloga Equestrian (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 2f 150yd

With Willie and Patrick Mullins combining to win five bumpers in the last fortnight, it would be unwise to not give proper consideration to Love Sign d’Aunou. He won a point-to-point on his only start at Loughanmore in April 2025 when his main rival ran out at the last, and joined Susannah Ricci privately. The five-year-old is by promising French sire Goliath Du Berlais.

Beechwood Road was the subject of plenty of chat before finishing fifth at Leopardstown on his bumper debut during Christmas. The form of that race will be tested earlier on this card when the fourth, Arcadian Emperor, runs in a maiden hurdle. Doctor Elvis hasn’t been seen since a decent debut third in a maiden hurdle back in November 2023 (sold for €260,000 in the Caldwell dispersal since). The selection’s stablemate Vienna Storm is out of a half-sister to dual Grade 2 winner Chris’s Dream, while Touch The Clouds made a fairly promising introduction at Naas earlier in the month when third. Largy Star won a pair of point-to-points in November and is in top hands now.

SELECTION: LOVE SIGN D’AUNOU

Next best: Beechwood Road

3.25 Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase (Grade 3) 3m 125yd

A 3lb penalty shouldn’t be the difference in winning and losing for Flicker Of Hope, who looks a staying chaser on the up and got the job done in fine style here 16 days ago. If this isn’t coming too soon and he’s returning in the same order, he’s got plenty in his favour as a course winner who handles testing ground and jumps well.

This is a deeper race than the one in which he had Bossofthebrownies behind in last time, however. Argento Boy won well at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve in a race where both of his main rivals, Ballygunner Castle and Slade Steel, crashed out. Blaze The Way was beautifully placed to win a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in December and may yet have further progression in him, though whether he really wants the ground as testing as this is a slight question.

SELECTION: FLICKER OF HOPE

Next best: Blaze The Way

3.55 Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Novice Handicap Chase 2m 4f

After hitting the crossbar last time at Navan, Bridie’s Beau has a chance of making amends off 3lb higher on ground that plays to his strengths. After a quieter-than-usual time of things, Gavin Cromwell’s camp will surely take heart from a big treble on Thyestes Day at Gowran Park, and their runner here mightn’t have maxed out just yet as a seven-year-old with only five chasing starts to his name.

Cases can be made for a host of these, though, including the top-weight Karl Des Tourelles, who lacks handicap chase experience but has some really likeable hurdles form and starts off 10lb lower than his mark over flights here. Three In A Row was just denied last time and ought to go close again, while the same owner’s Goraibhmaithagat is one to watch for any market positivity (not exactly a vote of confidence in his claims for this race that Mark Walsh prefers the interesting Raglan Road).

SELECTION: BRIDIE’S BEAU

Next best: Karl Des Tourelles