Leading owners to have big say on Naas card

No doubt JP McManus and Michael O'Leary will have things other than the Pick Six at Naas on their minds today, but if the two leading owners were to compare notes they would be in a better position than most to solve the puzzle.

As has been well documented, a Gigginstown quartet takes on a single McManus runner in today's Grade 3 novice chase, while McManus saddles a pair with obvious prospects in the opening Listed hurdle, as well as supplying three in a 13-runner handicap hurdle, and a likely odds-on chance in a maiden hurdle.

Mark Walsh, who will get a well-deserved chance to show his talents on the sport's biggest stage in the coming days, partners the Gordon Elliott-trained Minella For Dawn for McManus in the Listed novice hurdle (2,10). However, this one is no certainty to cope with Outspoken, a Joseph O'Brien-trained son of Galileo who has Jody McGarvey up, wearing the same colours. With Ruby Walsh opting out for the day, Paul Townend takes the ride on the Willie Mullins-trained Bleu Berry who completes a shortlist of three.