Woodlands Stakes takes centre stage at Naas Punchestown Festival week in Kildare begins with an eight-race Flat card at Naas. The extended programme - which now starts at 4.40pm - has been caused by a divide in the 45 to 65 Paddy Power Handicap. The highlight of the evening fixture is the Listed Woodlands Stakes, in which Ger O'Leary's Primo Uomo bids for back-to-back to back victories. Indeed, Primo Uomo was merely putting the record straight 12 months ago, having been unlucky in running when third to Washington DC in the 2017 renewal of the five-furlong contest. In 2017 and 2018 the Woodlands Stakes was run at Navan due to programme changes prompted by the redevelopment work at the Curragh. Back at Naas now - where it had been staged since its inception in 2003 - this early season highlight for the speedsters has attracted a British raider in the shape of the Michael Dods-trained Intense Romance. Inxile took the prize away for the visitors in 2009 and 2011 for the late Dandy Nicholls and Intense Romance is certainly a worthy contender as she goes for a fourth win in succession. The daughter of Intense Focus has not been seen on a racecourse since winning a Listed prize at Ascot last October, but her rating of 104 suggests she should make her presence felt under Connor Beasley. Ger Lyons saddles with Ardhoomey (Colin Keane) and Medicine Jack (Gary Carroll), while Willie McCreery sends out Tammy Wynette (Billy Lee) and Nitro Boost (Leigh Roche) Johnny Murtagh’s Urban Beat, Eddie Lynam’s Soffia, the Luke Comer-trained Blyton and Mistress Of Venice from Ken Condon's yard complete the field. One of the chief supporting races is the E50,000 Blackwater Handicap. For three-year-olds only over a mile, this contest promises to shine a light on some youngsters that could be worth following in the weeks and months ahead. On his debut on turf, Adrian Keatley’s Major Reward is one of the more eye-catching contenders, with Ben Coen claiming a very useful 5lb.
