Naas - Wednesday 4th March 2026
BRECHIN CASTLE is returning from a long absence, but has a lot going for him. Ben Brookhouse trained him to win two bumpers in Britain, including in Listed class at Cheltenham. He was last seen finishing runner-up in another Listed bumper at Ascot in December 2023 and has switched to Willie Mullins for his hurdling debut. Bulgaden Castle has been placed in his last three hurdle races and has earned a mark of 115. He kept on in second at Thurles and Punchestown, which gives him a solid chance. Famous Figure is a bumper winner who could improve from an opening sixth over flights in Down Royal.
Tactics will be key as recent winners STRAIGHT JOHN, Raise You Up and Tip Of The Wings all dictated in their respective races. Straight John encountered some smart types when sixth in a big field on debut at Leopardstown and then took the runner-up berth at Punchestown. He was a comfortable winner on his latest start at that track. Raise You Up is proven over further and was strong at the finish in delivering at Limerick and at this venue, so he's a major contender. Tip Of The Wings, a stablemate of the selection, has to give weight away but beat an odds-on favourite in Limerick. Dollar Nolimit was patiently ridden to score in Limerick and isn't out of it.
THE BIG CLOUD reverts to hurdles and has the ability to win this race. Shane Crawley's mare was successful over fences at this track in December before falling at Clonmel in January. She has a testing-ground victory over flights at Limerick in her locker. Cry Before Dawn ran well for a long way from the front in Clonmel last week before dropping to third, while Stiltellinemnuttin is a possible improver upon a fifth place here. Lissen To The Lady has been off for more than two years and starts out for a new stable, but she was successful when last seen in Clonmel and is worth a market check.
A winner in a similar grade at Clonmel last month, FENWAY PARK can follow up. Although that race was over an extended 2m, the Andrew McNamara-trained gelding has form over this longer trip and looks well treated at the weights. The son of Malinas is also proven on testing ground and appears to have plenty going for him. Rocky's Howya also comes into this race on the back of a win. Also successful in claiming company last time, the Declan Queally-trained 10-year-old is likely to attempt to make all. Noble Birth is best in on official ratings but will need to step up on recent form.
Tinahely point-to-point winner MINI GETAWAY looks well treated returning to racing under Rules. The Martin Lynch-trained mare has been lightly raced in recent seasons but reached the frame over hurdles off a higher mark on a couple of occasions in 2024. Far from disgraced when fourth at Tramore on her only appearance last year, the daughter of Getaway holds leading claims. Runner-up at Thurles last month, Milanaway rates a leading contender. A long-standing maiden prior to scoring at Punchestown in December, the Denis Hogan-trained mare remains of interest off her current rating. Getaways Charm, who has only had the four starts for Paul Flynn, is another that has to enter calculations.
Runner-up over course and distance in January, TEENAGE KISS can go one place better here. With the winner making all to score in that aforementioned race, the Conor O'Dwyer-trained five-year-old did best of the rest in staying on late for minor honours. Off just 1lb higher now, the daughter of Walk In The Park can make the breakthrough. Keiths Boy, who probably paid the price for chasing the front runner in that same contest, weakened late on to finish fourth. It would be no surprise to see the Seamus Fahey-trained gelding finish a bit closer on this occasion. Themorethemerrier will need to improve on his three runs in maidens but could easily progress now entering handicaps.
BROWN BOOTS can complete the hat-trick here for trainer Liam Cusack. A winner over fences at Navan on his penultimate start, the gelding then exploited the same rating over flights when scoring with plenty in hand at Clonmel. Proven over this trip and at this best on testing ground, the seven-year-old looks well-in under a 7lb penalty. Let's Go Mans is one that is worth a second look in the betting. Tailed off on all three starts under Rules, the Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding showed a bit more when runner-up in a point-to-point recently. Warmer Days Ahead looks best of the remainder.
Despite his long absence BRECHIN CASTLE is expected to make a winning hurdling debut. He proved progressive in bumpers where he was a Listed winner and his top stable can get them ready after a break. Bulgaden Castle sets the standard on the ratings and looks the obvious danger if he's ridden a bit more positively than he was last time. Jerry From Kerry matched his useful bumper form on his hurdling debut and if repeating that he may fill the places.
Raise You Up sets the standard after an impressive victory at this venue last time where he looked useful but he may find this trip on the sharp side and could be vulnerable to the Elliott pair. Tip Of The Wings was an easy winner under a positive ride when dropped to 2m last time so he will be a danger if getting an easy lead but it is his stablemate STRAIGHT JOHN who is the selection. He came clear of the remainder behind a potentially top class rival on his penultimate start before justifying short odds last time.
Both Lissen To The Lady and Beau Della leap off the page as well handicapped on their old UK form so are greatly respected despite their absences. However top weight THE BIG CLOUD returns to hurdling off what looks a generous mark based on her chase efforts so she is preferred. She's unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences after a late spill last time and her best efforts in both disciplines have come over 2m on testing ground. Of those at bigger prices Madam Elle could surprise if building on her last time out improvement.
FENWAY PARK can follow up on his recent win at the same level. He had been struggling over fences previously but a return to this discipline seems to have sparked him into life and he is well treated getting lumps of weight from his main rivals. Rocky's Howya also won a claimer recently and the multiple point winner should be suited by this stamina test. He can pose the biggest challenge ahead of veteran Noble Birth whose revival hopes rest on the addition of blinkers down in class.
Strong stayer Milanaway arrives in from and is likely to prove popular with an easy lead likely but there wasn't much between her and KNOCKNAGORAN LADY when they met in a maiden. The latter is chosen to reverse the form on these revised terms having caught the eye on her reappearance. She finished well under tender handling over an inadequate 2 1/2m and she's entitled to come on for that outing. Love Like This failed to complete last time but she did travel well for a long way so may provide the biggest threat dropped back in distance.
UMPIRE'S CALL can continue the good recent form of his stable. He proved steadily progressive in maidens and starts handicapping off what looks a generous mark judged on his C&D placed effort last time. Tsavo Park was staying on strongly when coming down over fences last time so has to be respected racing off the same mark here. The consistent Cathryns Ruby should also give a good account and gain a place.
BROWN BOOTS has bolted up on his last couple of starts and is fancied to defy a 7lb higher mark here. The stiff track will suit and he handles testing ground so he should be tough to beat if the race doesn't come too soon. Let's Go Mans arrives on the back of a placed effort in a bumper and he could leave his previous hurdle form behind now upped in trip on his handicap debut. He can fill the places with Brandt who isn't as good over hurdles as he is over fences but his lower mark does reflect that.
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