Los Blanco hard to oppose in opener at Naas

The first and second are now rated 135 and 132 respectively, and in the expectation that there is plenty of improvement to come from Los Blanco, he ought to take a world of beating. There are a few interesting sorts in opposition, and one of those is King Jon Oliver, for whom a market move would be worth noting.

De Bromhead also runs an interesting sort in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, and this stable debutant, Ma Belle Etoile, can make her experience count.

Formerly trained by John and Thomas Kiely, for whom she won a bumper and ran a couple of promising races over hurdles, she hasn’t been seen on track since June, but De Bromhead is adept at having them ready to do themselves justice first time out, and she showed more than enough to suggest a race of this nature would be well within compass.

In the Franco Hughes Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle, Marie’s March makes plenty of each-way appeal following a fine effort in finishing third on her most recent start. On these quicker conditions, she should be even better and can get off the mark for her career.

Positive Energy was impressive on his hurdling debut, early last month at Navan, and the Michael O’Callaghan-trained four-year-old can follow up in the Colm White Bookmakers Rated Novice Hurdle.