John McConnell has a couple of good chances at Naas© Photo Healy Racing
The €45,000 Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle is the feature on an eight-race card at Naas, but most eyes will be on Marine Nationale who makes his eagerly awaited return in Grade 3 company.
The Barry Connell-trained gelding had his novice chasing season cut short due to ‘a minor suspensory injury’ and now faces four rivals in the Barberstown Castle Chase at 2.35.
Marine Nationale is one of a number of likely short-priced favourites on the card with Spasiba Zariygann and Farren Glory also set to go off at odds-on.
John McConnell also saddles a warm favourite in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle with Lieutenant Mayne who is currently around an 11/10 chance having won twice in bumpers last season at Musselburgh and Uttoxeter.
The Stamullen trainer reports the five-year-old in good form saying: “He is a lovely horse who won two bumpers for us last year.
"He runs in a maiden hurdle in Naas, he goes well. He should run well and take a bit of beating."
McConnell is also hopeful of a big run from his other runner on the card, Andys Flame in the opening Overlander Horseboxes Novice Handicap Chase.
"Andys Flame ran very well in Cheltenham last time and has a chance in a competitive little race.
"He looks like he is going to be a better chaser than hurdler.”
The action gets underway in Naas at 11.50am and the going is now good, good to yielding in places on the chase course and good to yielding on the hurdle course following watering and 2.5mm of rain overnight.
The forecast is for a dry day with temperatures around 14C.
(AM & MG)
