Banker in opener to get the ball rolling at Naas

The self-styled Cheltenham trials day takes place at Naas on Sunday afternoon, and while it looks unlikely that any of the feature contests will have any impact on the Cheltenham markets, it’s quite decent stuff and provides a good chance of landing the Pick 6.

The opening maiden hurdle (2.20) seems to present real banker material in the shape of the Willie Mullins-trained Kolumbus. Heavy ground probably is not ideal and aided his defeat by Gunnery Sergeant at Punchestown last month, but there is nothing in the race that can boast the same level of maiden form and he looks very hard to oppose.

The handicap hurdle (2.50) is one of the trappier contests of the afternoon and all bar one or two could score. Last Sunday’s Navan runner-up Lilshane has won around here before and gets in, as do the in-form hat-trick seeking Adreamstillalive and recent C&D winner Dylrow, who landed a nice touch here two weeks ago and is not harshly treated for a snug success.