Monday 23rd March 2020
Author: Jordan Yates
Naas Preview
It’s the first day of the flat at Naas on Monday and we have an array of the top Irish trainers doing battle with some of their most promising juveniles. The feature coming in the form of the Listed Devoy Stakes at 4.00pm where we see last year’s Epsom Derby favourite Sir Dragonet return to action for Aidan O’Brien. Here are my punts for the day.
POETIC FLARE @ 3/1 – 2:00 (Maiden)
Poetic Flare’s pedigree suggests that stamina will be his forte as he progresses through his career which suggests that a five furlong dash might not be up his street. However, his sire Dawn Approach won this race back in 2012 when it was held at the Curragh, and trainer Jim Bolger often targets this with very smart sorts and this colt is the choice of Kevin Manning.
Main Danger:
LIPIZZANER
Aidan O’Brien trained two-year-old who is by a Breeders Cup winner and cost a fair amount. Very likely to be a group performer and looks the one to beat for powerhouse connections.
KNIGHT OF MALTA @ 11/8 – 2:30 (Maiden)
Knight Of Malta is a well-related sort as you’d expect from this stable, related to Group 3 winner Douglas Macarthur and from the family of Derby winner New Approach. He was fourth in a maiden here back in October, behind stablemate Hong Kong which was also run on testing ground. It’s likely there’s been considerable progression since then and he looks the one to beat.
TRESORIA @ 6/1 (Each Way) – 3:00 (Handicap)
This is certainly one of the most competitive races of the day, a typically large field Irish handicap of which I’ve taken a chance on the John Fearne trained Tresoria who’s the mount of Mark Enright. He was getting closer off his ever reducing mark at the back end of last season and I think that trend could continue here, he’s was formerly trained in France and will handle the conditions a lot better than some.
HONG KONG @ 7/2 – 3:30 (Handicap)
Hong Kong won a maiden here for Aidan O’Brien on testing ground then went onto run a solid race in Group 3 company at Newmarket. He cost a million as a yearling and is a half brother to top sprinter Caravaggio, trying his hand here within handicap company is certainly an interesting mover but there’s every chance he could well make a mockery of his mark of 88.
SIR DRAGONET @ 4/6 – 4:00 (Listed Devoy Stakes)
A cracking renewal of the Devoy Stakes here of which I think can go to Sir Dragonet for Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan. He bolted up in his maiden at Tipperary last season before going on to hack up in more impressive style in the Chester Vase at the May Festival. He’s since gone on to finish fifth in the Derby and also fourth behind Logician in the St Leger, that’s by far the best form on offer in this race and back on ground he seemingly relishes he should be very tough to beat.
Main Danger:
BROGUE
Dermot Weld trained four-year-old hasn’t been seen since his sole win in a maiden back in May of last year, he did that impressively beaten a now 103 rated rival in Up Helly Aa pretty comfortably. He could be anything and poses the biggest threat to Sir Dragonet.
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