IF Naas’s two-year taking on of four Curragh fixtures, which saw the track acquire two Group 2 races and seven Group 3s, was an audition of sorts, the Tipper road venue can be proud of its efforts. There may have been a small concern among the powers that be that taking well established and well recognised races away from the Curragh’s highly respected track proper, could see a fall in standard.

That hasn’t been the case and although it is a very small sample size, it’s worth pointing out that both Group 2 races that moved to Naas, the Mooresbridge Stakes and the Beresford Stakes, actually rated as better races than the running average from the previous three years they were run at the Curragh.