Two mega days of Flat racing in store at Naas Racecourse

Naas will bring the curtain down on Flat racing at the track for 2024 with a fascinating weekend of lucrative action on Saturday and Sunday.
The prestigious Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Nursey is the highlight on Saturday with 14 runners going to post, headed by Group 1 entry The Parthenon trained by Aidan O’Brien.

O’Brien will also saddle Snapdragon in the €40,000 feature, which was won last year by Jessica Harrington who runs Kodilicious in tomorrow’s renewal.
Michael O’Callaghan will launch a three-pronged attack on the race which include course and distance winner Tommy McJohn.
“We have declared three runners for the Birdcatcher and they are all in good form,” O’Callaghan reported.
“Tommy McJohn won at Naas the last day and steps up to six furlongs for the first time tomorrow. He was going away at the line and the ground this weekend should be fine for him.

“Manhattan Chute is rated fairly high but he ran very well in the Ballyhane Stakes at Naas and we thought this race would really suit him as he ran well at the track and he handles a bit of an ease in the ground.

“South Shore Island was quite unlucky to just get mugged the last day at Fairyhouse so we go there with three chances in the race.”
Johnny Murtagh, who won the race in 2022, runs the other course and distance winner Amazing Athena, while Joseph O’Brien’s Last Encore will aim to follow up his August success at Navan.

My Mate Alfie heads the field for the RFL Steels Stakes as the Ger Lyons-trained three-year-old looks to record a third win in less than a month. My Mate Alfie renews his rivalry with Big Gossey and Michael O’Callaghan is hoping for a bold showing from his Naas winner Twilight Jet who will be ridden by Leigh Roche.
“Twilight Jet is a horse that still retains a lot of his ability and we see that in his work at home,” O’Callaghan said. “Sometimes it is not turning up in the afternoon but he did run a huge race at Naas in the spring and was very unlucky. I think if he had won that day he might have got his confidence back and he’s a horse we definitely haven’t given up on. It looks a good race but if the old Twilight Jet turns up hopefully he can give them something to think about.”

Saturday’s seven race card begins at 2pm with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and features the Tote.ie Handicap and the Oktoberfest Weekend Handicap.
The highlight of Sunday’s eight race programme is the €120,000 Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final which has attracted a full field of 16 runners.
The seven-furlong showpiece is now in its tenth year and looks to reward some shrewd connections for a modest investment.

The declared field of runners includes Bodhi Bear, who cost €1,180 at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, Gangsta Man who was a €2,000 purchase at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and Jessica Harrington’s Fiona MacCoul who cost just €5,000 in the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale last year and now carries the colours of Syndicates Racing.
Kevin Prendergast, who won the 2016 renewal, is represented by Down Royal winner Iowntheball who has already earned more in prize money than his €10,000 sales price.

Following the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final are two listed races also backed by Irish Stallions Farms and Irish EBF as full fields of 16 have been declared for the Garnet Stakes and the Bluebell Stakes.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Marakesh will step up from her Gowran Park debut win to take on some more seasoned campaigners such as the Dermot Weld-trained Azada, Sakti trained by Ger Lyons and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Goldana.
Caught U Looking, who has a sales date in December, will look for a fitting end to her season in the Bluebell Stakes and will once again be ridden by champion jockey Colin Keane.

The Willie Mullins-trained Lope De Lilas will be the mount of James Doyle, while Ben Coen will be hoping to make a fruitful return from injury on his first day back when partnering Siege Of Troy for Johnny Murtagh.

One of the most competitive races of the weekend will be the €100,000 Colm White Bookmaker Beggar’s End Handicap over two miles.
Last years winner Prairie Dancer is one of three Joseph O’Brien-trained runners in the race with Comfort Zone and Reina Del Mar also declared.
Some veterans of both codes are also in the mix for the big prize with 11-year-olds Seddon and Lord Erskine representing John McConnell and Harry Rogers respectively, while McConnelll also runs the 10-year-old Mt Leinster.

The winning jockey of the TRM – From Ireland To The World Apprentice Handicap will have the offer from TRM to be sponsored for a year.
As part of their valued sponsorship TRM are set to reward the winning jockey of their 13-runner race a brand sponsorship for one of Ireland’s leading up and coming apprentices. The sponsorship will include fully branded riding gear, such as breeches and other clothing, ensuring the rider is well-equipped and professionally represented throughout the year. This initiative highlights TRM’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and supporting riders across all equine sports.
A bumper eight race card on Sunday kicks off at 1.05pm with more details on the Oktoberfest Weekend available at naasracecourse.com. Packages are available from €35 which includes admission, a racecard, BBQ meal and access to the Oktoberfest marquee which will have games and live music from No Limits.