Meade hoping to Escape mob-handed Elliott in Toalsbet Leinster National

Irish Grand National winner General Principle is among Gordon Elliott’s remaining 14 entries for the Toalsbet Leinster National at Naas on Sunday. The Elliott-trained Alpha Des Obeaux tops the weights for the €100,000 Grade A Handicap which also features last year’s Leinster National winner Pairofbrowneyes, who is one of five Willie Mullins-trained inclusions in the 36 strong field. In form trainer, Noel Meade is hoping his fine run will continue into this weekend and reported the JP McManus-owned pair of De Name Escapes Me and Killer Miller to be on course for Naas on Sunday. “The plan at the moment is to run De Name Escapes Me and Killer Miller in the Leinster National. The rain over the last couple of days will be a help for De Name Escapes Me. He didn’t partake in Leopardstown at all, I don’t know what the reason was he ran so bad. He is a bit windy about his fences but the Naas fences are nice fences so hopefully he shows up,” Meade said. “It has been a struggle with Killer Miller to get him back but I was happy with his run at Limerick and I think he’s getting back to himself now. It’s been slow but he seems in good order.” The Grade 3 Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase has also attracted some notable entries. The Pat Doyle-trained Kaiser Black, who followed home La Bague Au Roi in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival could take on the Willie Mullins-trained Camelia De Cotte who has won five of her six starts over fences. Chosen Mate, a Grade 2 victor at Naas on Cheltenham Trials Day, could return to Naas for the Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle where he may meet two other Naas winners Advantage Point and All For Joy who were also victorious over course and distance this year. Elliott said: “Chosen Mate has come out of his Grade 2 win well and we’ve put him in the race on Sunday to give him an option. There’s a chance he will go straight to Aintree but Naas might be a nice stepping stone for him.” The concluding Toalsbet Casino Mares Flat Race is a race that was previously won by Gold Cup hopeful Shattered Love and Sunday’s renewal may well throw up a future star in the making. Cheltenham Festival entry Daylight Katie and the Jessica Harrington-trained Coromandel Lady two standout names on the early list of entries. The first on a seven-race card at Naas this Sunday is due off at 2.10pm and for further information and hospitality bookings see www.naasracecourse.com

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