Naas Sunday: Unearth a Winner With Archaeology  

Johnny Murtagh’s record with handicap debutants at Naas is as eyecatching as his colt’s recent runs in maidens.

14:35 Matchbook EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery 

Tip:

Archaeology 

15:10 Foran Equine EBF Auction Stakes 

Cedars of Lebanon is a tough filly who looks exposed, but she produced a career-best effort when making all over 6f here last time, and a previous winner over a mile at Bellewstown, this longer trip will be no problem. The key to her is the ability to dominate, and she is probably better on good or quicker ground than she is on softer ground. She is well drawn to attack here, and despite meeting various rivals who are open to improvement, she still sets a fair standard, and will probbaly be undervalued by the market given her profile. 

Tip:

Cedars of Lebanon 

16:15 Thank You Paddy & Cathy Timmons Apprentice Handicap 

He’s into the veteran stage now, but there’s plenty of life in Vastonea, a comment which could apply equally to his trainer Kevin Prendergast, and the 10-yo can turn the clock back to score another C&D win in this run-of-the-mill handicap. He’s run with great credit behind the progressive Perfect Tapatino on a couple of occasions of late, and drops in class here. Ridden by the promising Mikey Melia, a former holder of the “trainee jockey of the year” title. He’s got experience riding this horse both on the home gallops and the racecourse itself, and a mark of 69 looks very workable given the balance of his handicap form. This is not a particularly deep event, and repeat of his best efforts this season would be enough to deliver victory from a positive draw. 

Tip:

Vastonea