RACING: The Champion Chase runner-up Native Upmanship has a relative "penalty kick" on his first start of the season at Naas today but a big-name clash in the first race will have punters at the track in good time.

In most editions of a beginners' chase, the reappearance of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero, Sausalito Bay, would guarantee top billing - but not with Le Coudray around.

The top staying hurdler returned from a three-year lay-off at Cork and ran a blinder on his chasing debut until falling at the second last at Cork. Christy Roche reports that Le Coudray has emerged unscathed from that tip up and the benefit of the run should be evident today. In fact, the clear fitness edge is with the JP McManus-owned horse as Sausalito Bay is having his first start in close on two years.

The question mark hanging over Le Coudray, however, is the two-mile trip. As a warm-up for next week's Drinmore at Fairyhouse, it looks an ideal option but in five victories in France and two in this country, Le Coudray has never won at the minimum distance.

Clearly better over further, Le Coudray's class is still likely to see him come out ahead of the opposition.

Native Upmanship also has top-flight form over further but in cotrast he looks to have secured an ideal Durkan Chase warm-up in the Woodlands Park 100 Poplar Chase. The Aintree winner carries a 164 rating into the contest which leaves him with 33lb in hand of Copernicus. That should more than out-weigh any ring-rustiness.

The conditions' hurdle looks a fascinating heat. Arch Stanton brings winning form and fitness from the flat while Khetaam's overall flat form makes three placed efforts over hurdles pretty disappointing. The unexposed horse of the race is Kicking King who earned rave reviews on his bumper debut in January and was an expensive flop a couple of months later over the same course and distance. The Taaffe runner remains a horse of some potential.

Ri Na Realta returned to action with a win at Navan recently and Charlie Swan takes the ride for his start over flights in the maiden hurdle. With conditions sure to be tresting, Rheindross' gutsy effort at Galway behind Lord Of The Turf makes interesting reading in the context of the handicap chase.

Charlie Swan: should partner Ri Na Realta to success.