Asisaid revels in soft ground at Naas

The going change to soft after race one in Naas certainly did Asisaid no harm as he bounced back to winning ways in the first divide of the apprentice handicap.

He came from a fair way back, travelling well, to move into contention a furlong and a-half down. Jake Coen rode him to the front inside the final furlong and the four-year-old gelding, in first-time blinkers, came home nicely to score by a length and a-half at 14/1. Breagagh took the runner-up berth at 12/1 from 20s. Wrist Art was another length and a-quarter away in third at 8/1 while Alqabeela completed the placings in fourth at 11/1.

Trainer Pat Murphy said: “He did that well, he has ability and got his ground today. The blinkers obviously helped.

“The last few days he's missed the kick and he was probably thinking about things a bit. When he goes and does it he has plenty of ability in this grade.

“Jake gave him a good ride, got him out nice and confident, and did a good job. It worked out well.

“We might even look at Galway now. I was going to give him a break before today, but with all the rain we've been getting, I said we'd keep him going.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson