Kevin Blake

2:25 HOSPITALITY AT NAAS RACECOURSE BEGINNERS’ CHASE 2M

An interesting opener and the most eye-catching contender is undoubtedly the Willie Mullins-trained Tennis Cap. The eight-year-old progressed very well over hurdles in the 2012/13 season, most notably finishing second in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. While he hasn’t been seen for the better part of two years, his trainer is a master at bringing horses back from absences and he looks to be the one to beat on what is his chasing debut. The best alternative to him is the Henry De Bromhead-trained Kick On Boss, with the nine-year-old having run quite well in both his starts over fences to date.

Selection: TENNIS CAP

Next Best: Kick On Boss

2:55 IRISH RACING WRITERS KINGSFURZE NOVICE HURDLE (LISTED) 2M

A competitive novice hurdle and a chance is taken on the Sandra Hughes-trained Phil’s Magic. The five-year-old made it fourth-time lucky over hurdles when bolting up in a maiden at Naas earlier this month and very much looks on the improve. Conditions will suit and it wouldn’t surprise to see him go close in this stronger contest. His main rival could well be the Tony Martin-trained Golantilla, with the smart bumper performer having finished third to Sizing John in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown last time.

Selection: PHIL’S MAGIC

Next Best: Golantilla

3:30 NAAS DIRECTORS PLATE NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M 4F

This is an intriguing contest and marginal preference is given to the Tony Martin-trained Noble Emperor. The seven-year-old has been progressing well over fences, with his second-place finish to Very Wood in Grade 2 novice company at Navan reading well in the context of this race. This shorter trip will not inconvenience him and he looks to be a leading player. The best of the rest is perhaps the Mouse Morris-trained Rule The World, with the eight-year-old promising to be ideally suited by this trip and having solid form in the book over fences.

Selection: NOBLE EMPEROR

Next Best: Rule The World

4:00 NAAS SUPPORTERS HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 3F

Fiercely-competitive fare and the Tom Taaffe-trained Peoples Park might just be progressive enough to come out on top off his feather weight. The six-year-old has progressed well since entering handicap hurdle company, winning at Fairyhouse and Navan. While he has gone up a total of 19lb for those wins, he appeals as still being fairly treated and should go close in this more competitive contest. Of the higher-weighted contenders, the Sandra Hughes-trained Pink Coat has to come into the mix based on her fifth-place finish in the Boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown last time.

Selection: PEOPLES PARK

Next Best: Pink Coat

4:30 NETWORK IRELAND KILDARE BRANCH RACECOURSE MAIDEN HURDLE 3M

Not the strongest of maiden hurdles and a good opportunity for the Oliver McKiernan-trained Golden Boot to get off the mark. The six-year-old has run well in three of his four starts and can be excused his latest effort as the step up to Grade 1 company was always going to be an impossible task for him. This is much more his level and he is likely to take all the beating. His most interesting rival is perhaps the Gordon Elliott-trained Captain Von Trappe, as his point-to-point and bumper form suggests he can go close in a maiden hurdle of this standard.

Selection: GOLDEN BOOT

Next Best: Captain Von Trappe

5:00 WOODLANDS PARK 100 CLUB LEINSTER NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE B) 3M

Many expected the Tony Martin-trained Living Next Door to run at the Cheltenham Festival, but he takes up this engagement instead and looks to have strong prospects of defying top weight. The form of his victory in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown has been handsomely advertised by the subsequent exploits of the runner-up Foxrock and a 12lb higher mark may not be enough to stop him following up in this less competitive contest. Of the rest, the Peter Fahey-trained Owega Star also has solid form in stronger handicaps than this and has strong claims.

Selection: LIVING NEXT DOOR

Next Best: Owega Star

5:30 TIPPER ROAD (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Not a lot of form on show here and Mags Mullins might have the answer in the shape of Last Encounter. The son of Beneficial made an encouraging start to his career when a never-nearer second to Modem in a maiden hurdle at Navan in December. He seems sure to improve from that experience and will take all the beating on his first outing in a bumper. Of the newcomers, the Jessica Harrington-trained Don’t Touch It cost €30,000 as a three-year-old and market support for him would be respected.

Selection: LAST ENCOUNTER

Next Best: Don’t Touch It