Preview naas 19th Jan

Racing has made a welcome return following the Arctic blast which swept the country at the start of 2010, and the Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase is the feature event on a seven-race card at Naas.

Alpha Ridge is the class act, but needs to put a terrible run over Christmas behind him, when his jumping went astray.

He's better judged on his previous second to Pandorama in the Drinmore and a repeat of that would see him prove too strong for Oscar Looby, Telenor and the Mouse Morris-trained Beckett Rock.

Muirhead has taken in nine straight Grade One assignments since winning his maiden and has his sights lowered in the Limestone Lad Hurdle.

The seven-year-old disappointed Noel Meade at Leopardstown last time but he should reverse form with fourth home De Valira, while Ebadiyan and Muirhead's stablemate Wild Passion have plenty to prove now.

Meade saddles Accord Aris in the opening INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle (12.35) but a place may be the best he can hope for, with Willie Mullins' Cadspeed expected to take the world of beating on the form of his two runner-up efforts before Christmas.

Luska Lad hasn't really lived up to expectations so far over timber but his fourth to Hollo Ladies wasn't bad most recently and the EBF Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle looks much more to his liking.

He has the measure of Baron De'L on their Leopardstown running and a more interesting rival is Ballyholland, who appears for the first time since his Galway Plate triumph.

The hat-trick-seeking Four Chimneys tops the list for the Cheltenham Trial Day On 21st February Handicap Hurdle, but Hearthstead Dream, The Wandering Man and Smack That provide stiff opposition.< Seabass is unexposed but will find last year's winner Topofdemornintou a tough nut to crack in the Maynooth Handicap Chase, while Mullins' Angus House is sure to have his supporters in the Ladbrokes Cheltenham Bumper Series INH Flat Race.