Naas PreviewAnyone prepared to dismiss this evening's Naas card as another run-of-the-mill fixture should remember how seven years ago it provided the world with its first glimpse of the subsequent five times Group One champion Giants Causeway in the six furlong maiden.
This time Aidan O'Brien sends the Danzig colt Astronomer Royal to the track for his debut and there will be disappointment in Ballydoyle if the colt, who is out of a half sister to the double Grade One winner Vicar, can't go in at the first time of asking.
Of those with form already, Weekend Escape's rather distant fourth to Vorteeva at Tipperary on Sunday looks the best but that is hardly an insurmountable benchmark for the newcomers.
O'Brien and Kieren Fallon can also score in the opening conditions race where Rol'over Beethoven can make a quick follow up to his dramatic victory at Fairyhouse on Sunday where exaggerated waiting tactics seemed to work for the colt on that occasion.
The 102-rated Glocca Morra hasn't run in almost a year while the 101-rated Akimbo looks tricky and is dropping back from a mile.
Moyenne, who at 92 is rated 10lb higher than Rol'over Beethoven, is out of form and the official figures might be deceptive this time.
Always The Groom has a 5lb penalty for scoring at Ballinrobe on Monday night, where Pillar Rock was three lengths behind, and that doesn't look enough to stop Pat Flynn's charge making a quick follow up.
Lorna's Star has topweight in the handicap hurdle but a recent return to action at Limerick yielded a success over Swift Post and the Francis Flood horse looks good for another success now.
Bootsandslippers found River Mill too good at Roscommon but compensation looks entirely possible in the bumper.
