Naas 5.10
By Irish Racing (MG)
Michael - Naas 5.10 Handicap - 2 miles - 17 run - Soft > Heavy
This is a tough 2 miles on a galloping track and should suit those with proven stamina and evidence of being able to handle conditions.
Filey Bay is favourite for man of the moment Emmet Mullins but I really don't fancy its chances on past form in these attritional conditions, Emmet also runs Teed Up a 2 miles winner at Galway in Heavy but upped 10lbs which may find him out. Brogue who won on his last run after a pipeopener following a 2 year absence is upped in trip and not really any evidence he handles ground this deep although he has won on soft going elsewhere, I think he's opposable. Raving Royal, one of a number for Willie Mullins has been off a year and upped in trip from 12 furlongs, Immelman is another from Willie Mullins, he is upped 7lbs for a nice win in a lesser race last time. Whiskey Sour has struggled over this Course and Distance in this type of ground more than a few times and I'd be worried they may catch him out again.
DROP THE ANCHOR and POWERFUL AGGIE were 1st and 3rd in this race last year, they beat The shunter into 4th place in doing so; and that now looks like pretty solid form. Both carry more weight here, Drop The Anchor off a mark of 92 as opposed to 84 and Powerful Aggie is off a mark of 96 today as opposed to 89 but has a 7lbs claimer up. Both horses are very lightly raced this season and I can't see any reason at all why they won't be bang in contention again and ideally suited by conditions.
The other one with plenty of verifiable form in the conditions is LORD ERSKINE, a winner last time off a mark of 79, up to a mark of 87 but the fact it gets ideal conditions should more than mitigate for the extra handicap weight.
Tips (1) Drop The Anchor / (2) Powerful Aggie / (3) Lord Erskine