Taaffe hoping for pleasant Memories at Naas Tom Taaffe is looking forward to stepping smart Flat recruit Distant Memories up in class in Saturday's Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle at Naas. The son of Falbrav made an impressive debut over hurdles at Limerick during the Christmas period and will be hoping to build on that effortless success. Jim and Fitri Hay's charge was a Group Three winner on the level for Tom Tate in England and was also placed in Group Two company in France. That effort reads particularly well as he was just over two lengths behind subsequent Champion Stakes winner Cirrus Des Aigles. "We are looking forward to running him again on Saturday," said Taaffe today. "He was a smart horse on the Flat and he enjoys his jumping. It looks a very hot winners' of two, with Grade One & Two form horses among the entries. "The ground is not any great concern as I feel he handles any ground. It's another step for him and will tell us more about where we go." Taaffe will be hoping to go into Saturday's contest on a high with Argocat set to represent the same connections at Thurles tomorrow. "He seems to be going the right way and we're looking forward to running him. "It's a hot maiden hurdle. The four-year-olds appear to have plenty of allowances and they look strong contenders."
