O’Sullivan hoping Baie Des Iles is on song for Opera Hat Chase

ITV Racing to show live racing from Naas for the first time

  Ross O'Sullivan's stable star Baie Des Iles will make the short journey to Naas on Saturday to contest the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase where she will face six rivals. Saturday will be a landmark occasion for Naas Racecourse with five of the races, including the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Chase, being shown live on ITV Racing for the first time. The Grade 2 winning Baie Des Iles is the highest rated of the seven runners contesting the feature Listed race and the trainer is hopeful that a drop back in trip won't inconvenience the eight-year-old. "In an ideal world we would be running her over a bit further than two miles but we think that a small field and a run over this distance will sharpen her up for the spring time," O'Sullivan said. "The ground shouldn't pose any problems to her although any rain that falls would be welcome and it is a race that fits in well to her season. It's great to have Ruby on board again. Ruby knows her well and has been placed on her a few times and is always a big plus to have on your side." Willie Mullins will be hoping that Punchestown Festival winner Pravalaguna can back up her recent success in a beginners chase at Limerick, while Gordon Elliott declared both Synopsis and Mrs Lovett for the €32,500 feature event. Elliott said: "I'm happy to draw a line through Mrs Lovett's run at Warwick. She had been progressing well over fences prior to that and I think she will be up to running well in a race like this. Synopsis didn't jump well last time at Huntingdon but on her Cheltenham run before that she'd have a decent chance." ITV Racing's coverage of Naas will begin with the second division of the Cavan Developments Maiden Hurdle at 1.40pm and conclude with the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. Tom Ryan, manager of Naas Racecourse commented: "Naturally we are thrilled to welcome ITV Racing to Naas for the first time and it is a massive boost to everyone involved at our track to have that exposure to such a wide audience. The circumstances have been very unfortunate for British racing and we certainly hope that things can return to normal over there as quickly as possible but from our point of view it is a great opportunity to showcase the racecourse and the every day quality of Irish racing." The first on an eight race card is due off at 12.40pm with gates opening at 11.10am. Live coverage of the Six Nations Rugby game between Ireland and Scotland will be shown throughout the racecourse. Further information can be found at www.naasracecourse.com