There may be £20,000 handicap hurdle and a £13,415 jackpot carryover at Naas today but the highlight for many will be the hurdling debut of Ned Kelly.
The Edward O`Grady trained four-year-old won both his bumper starts in Ireland last season and despite the obvious inexperience of his rider Tom Magnier was still fancied to score at the Cheltenham festival.
Ned Kelly faded to 12th but the hopes he will emerge as a leading contender for the festival next year remain high and even though he faces a genuine test today, it will be a disapointment disappointment if he cannot win.
The genuine test will come from the Fairyhouse winner Bust Out and possibly Moores Light but Ned Kelly looks a horse of genuine potential and Philip Fenton should enjoy an exciting ride.
Liss A Paoraigh is another of last season`s top bumper operators but has already proved herself over flights by winning at Gowran. The novice hurdle looks there for the taking.
Another particularly interesting runner is Knife Edge who makes his chasing debut in the novice race against Champagne Native.
Knife Edge was just short of top class over flights and when Istabraq wasn`t around proved his class by getting the better of Youlneverwalkalone at Cork last time. If he jumps well Knife Edge will obviously be hard to beat but Champagne Native has won at Fairyhouse and has always looked a chaser in the making.
More Than A Stroll is just 1lb out of the handicap proper in the most valuable pot of the day and comes here on the back of a course and distance second to Kimberley. That, allied to the current good form of the Arthur Moore stable, makes him an interesting proposition.
