Trials day and Olympics at Naas on Sunday Naas hosts its Cheltenham Trial Day this Sunday with three Grade 2 events to be decided and over €180,000 in prize-money on the Paddy Power-sponsored card plus the Jockeys Olympics in the parade ring during the afternoon in aid of GOAL. The paddypower.com Chase is the highlight on the seven race card (starts at 1.45pm) with Tranquil Sea, Blazing Tempo and Zaarito among the nine entries. Edward O’Grady has already confirmed Tranquil Sea as an intended runner, although he is set to give 9lb to Blazing Tempo who recently lowered the colours of Noble Prince at Fairyhouse. Zaarito has been very lightly-raced in recent seasons but Colm Murphy is hoping for a big run as he returns to fences saying, “Nothing went right for him the last day (over hurdles) at Leopardstown. It was a non-event as he missed the break and was always playing catch up. He has come out of that race fine. Murphy added, “He hasn’t done a lot of racing so far this season and that might stand to him on Sunday.” The Co. Wexford handler will also saddle recent course winner Gates Of Rome in the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Nas Na Riogh Chase and said, “It is all about his jumping. If that goes well he should run a big race. He wasn’t winning out of turn the last day. We know that he likes Naas and the soft ground, so if he puts in a good round of jumping, he should run a big race.’ O’Grady has Shot From The Hip and Slieveardagh entered and one or perhaps both will run in this two and a half mile test. Paddy Power Chase winner Cross Appeal and the hat-trick seeking Rathlin are other interesting contenders. The two miles paddypower.com Novice Hurdle is the other Grade 2 event on the card, and Willie Mullins has a number of interesting entries here with Felix Yonger, The Bosses Cousin and Hats And Heels. Noel Meade could be represented by Texas Jack, while his exciting Fickle Fortune catches the eye in the Paddy Power Mobile (Pro-Am) Flat Race. The daughter of Heron Island looked a bit special when an impressive winner of a bumper at Down Royal earlier this month. However one of her opponents could be the Mullins-trained Champagne Fever, who is currently favourite for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheletenham Festival. Nina Carberry will lead a ladies team in the Jockey's Olympics, while her brother Paul, Barry Geraghty and Davy Russell will also captain three other teams in events such as an egg and spoon race, three-legged race and a relay race. Hector O'hEochagain will act as commentator and master of ceremonies on the day. General admission at Naas on Sunday is €15 and includes a €5 free bet with the bookmakers, while there is free admission for u-18’s and students (u-26) with valid ID.
