Cacique Royale© Photo Healy Racing
Cacique Royale faces 15 rivals in his quest for a hat-trick in the Naas Golden Ticket Handicap which concludes today's card.
The progressive Andy Oliver-trained three-year-old was a comfortable winner over course and distance last month and followed-up in good style at Down Royal.
He now races for the first time in the colours of the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate — who owned the great Quevega, among others.
The son of Cacique is unlikely to have things all his own way this time, with Perfect Tapatino handicap debutant Freetown and the 10-year-old Vastonea in opposition.
Dylan Hogan takes the ride on Vastonea and he will also be aboard Polly Douglas in the opening Naasracecourse.com Handicap.
This Kieran Cotter-trained five-year-old was successful at Navan on Saturday and is turned out again quickly under a 6lb winner’s penalty.
Dash D’or, also trained by Cotter, and Mercury were second and third in that Navan contest — and both reoppose.
Aidan O’Brien saddles three in the Follow Naas On Twitter Maiden with son Donnacha booked to ride newcomer San Andreas
Ger Lyons has De Latour and Merricourt in this seven-furlong heat with the former expected to go close after having no luck in running when sixth on debut just under a fortnight ago.
O’Brien is again mob-handed in the Nursery Of Champions Maiden with Leopardstown fourth Eminence appearing the best of these. I Am Superman was a good second on debut at the Curragh, and is an obvious danger — while newcomer Rakan out of 2014 Epsom Oaks runner-up Tarfasha, is another interesting contender.
Dermot Weld trains Rakan and he is also represented by Crecerelle and Make The Switch in the 2019 Membership Now On Sale Maiden.
The former has been placed on three of his five starts to date — and another bold bid can be expected from him, fitted with a visor for the first time.
The Christmas Party Raceday At Naas Handicap has been divided and both splits look wide open. Bouquet Garni Cracking Name and Tuamhain are all likely to have plenty of supporters in the first division, while top-weight Prove The Point might be able to take the weaker second.
The Circle Bar Claiming Race is another very competitive contest with prolific winners Reckless Lad and Settle For Red perhaps the two to focus on.
