Bolger's Real Appeal one of several capable players in tricky Madrid Handicap

3.30 Naas

Naas Racecourse Business Club Madrid Handicap | 7f | 3yo | RTV

Whether another winner of the same calibre as 2016 scorer Awtaad lies in wait remains to be seen, but this year's Madrid Handicap is bound to prove very informative and has attracted a hugely competitive field.

Last year's impressive winner Never No More took the scalp of Madhmoon in a 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on his next start, and if another genuine stakes class performer is in the long grass this time around it could be Real Appeal.

The former French-trained Listed winner shaped with a fair degree of promise on his first two starts for Jim Bolger at the Curragh before disappointing on his final outing at Fairyhouse. He was gelded the following month.

Real Appeal (green and white on inner) was involved in a bunched finish to last year's Anglesey Stakes (Group 3)Credit: Caroline Norris

The step up to seven furlongs on testing ground with a stiff finish leaves him with stamina questions to answer, but he does have snippets of interesting form on easy ground.

Aidan O'Brien is seeking back-to-back wins in the race with American Pharoah colt Hong Kong, who handled testing surfaces well in his back-end outings last season.

The likes of Lustown Baba, Elusive King and Camachita all bring useful strands of juvenile form to the table in this difficult 14-runner affair.

The King Of Kells: one of two interesting contenders for Mick MulvanyCredit: Patrick McCann

What the stats say

Chris Hayes was just denied a remarkable fourth consecutive win in the race 12 months ago and will bid to enhance his impressive record this year with In From The Cold, one of two runners for Mick Mulvany.

The Limerick rider often does well on this card, bagging opening-day doubles in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

What the trainers say

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Camachita
She did well for us last year and she's fit and well ahead of her first start of the season. The draw hasn't been kind to her, though, and it's a very competitive race. I'm not sure about the ground being so testing for her either but hopefully she can run well.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Hong Kong
His form suggests that he's able to handle an ease in the ground, he ended up running on it plenty last season. He'll come on for his first start of the season but hopefully he can run well.

Mick Mulvany, trainer of The King Of Kells and In From The Cold
There looks to be very little between our two runners on homework and we're hopeful that they'll give good accounts. In From The Cold will handle the ground but hasn't had a run yet this season so we're hoping he'll be fit enough. The King Of Kells has had a run and seems in good form but we're a bit worried about the ground stretching his stamina over the trip.

Ken Condon, trainer of Elusive King
He's a grand horse who hasn't done anything wrong. He went to the line strongly over six furlongs on his second start and seemed to handle the soft ground then. He's ready to start and drawn high in a competitive race that's probably going to produce plenty of winners in future.

David Broad, trainer of The Peckhampouncer
He'll go on the ground and is in good order. He has plenty of work done. It's his first start after being gelded and we think he's improved. You can draw a line through his final run last year as he pulled muscles.

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