The Auction Series Final is the feature on Sunday’s card at Naas and tipster Phill Anderson from the Racing Post has a trio of selections.
2.20 Naas
Lord Massusus @ SP
1pt win
2.55 Naas
Flame Of Eire @ SP
1pt each-way
Naas 2.55
Rotolo @ SP
1pt each-way
It looks like a strong renewal of the Auction Series Final (2.15) at Naas on Sunday with a host of these set for Pattern company next season.
With plenty of rain expected over the weekend, proven soft ground performers have to be high on the shortlist and Lord Massusus fits the bill after his impressive success on testing ground at the Curragh last time out.
The son of Markaz was following up an easy win on handicap debut at Listowel when dropping back in trip at the Curragh last time and he looked well on top at the finish, shaping like he would relish a return to seven furlongs.
Montesilvano is a danger
If he takes another step forward in his hat-trick bid this time, he could be hard to beat with the possibility of him getting an uncontested lead up front and with stamina proven having won over one mile on his penultimate outing, there’s plenty of positives in his favour.
Montesilvano looks like the main danger on paper after a narrow defeat in Group 3 company last time, particularly with that form boosted by the Godolphin owned winner landing a Grade 1 in Canada since. However, this 2yo didn’t seem to relish his sole start on testing ground and it might be worth taking on the likely favourite.
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Toy is likely to be a warm favourite for the Listed race on the card (2.55) but his best form has been over middle distances and it’s possible he will be vulnerable back down at one mile.
Flame Of Eire is of interest
The progressive Flame Of Eire might be more interesting from an each-way perspective.
The highly progressive five-year-old arrives bidding for her fifth straight win and like the previous selection, she arrives on the back of a career best soft ground success.
She only won by a length-and-a-half at Listowel but she was good value for that winning margin, seemingly only doing enough when hitting the front.
The filly has a bit to find on form but she’s been mentioned as a potential Lincoln prospect for next season by her trainer and there’s probably a fair bit more to come.
Later on the card in the Apprentice Handicap (4.05), Rotolo looks like a nice prospect on just her second start in a handicap.
The filly took a big step forward when only narrowly denied on her handicap debut last time and that form has been boosted by the winner going in again since.
The three-year-old has fewer miles on the clock than most of her rivals and with just a 2lb rise to cope with, she might be the best handicapped horse in the field if she’s fully fit on her return from a three-month absence.
