One key runner to note in each of Monday's seven races at Naas

The Flat turf season is back in Ireland and Mark Boylan picks out one runner to follow in each of the seven contests on a competitive-looking card at Naas.

Poetic Flare
2.00 Naas

Jim Bolger is never far away from the target in the opening two-year-old race of the season, winning or finishing in the first four ten times in the last 14 years, and his Poetic Flare gets a tentative vote.

The market will surely prove informative with none of these having run before, but it looks safest to side with the trainer who won this race in 2012 with 2,000 Guineas hero Dawn Approach.

Knight Of Malta
2.30 Naas

Aidan O'Brien has done well in this maiden over the past few years and his War Front colt out of Investec Oaks winner Was has the potential to open his account.

The mount of Seamie Heffernan shaped well here on debut behind Hong Kong last October and makes most appeal in an open affair.

Mokhalad: has recorded two wins at Naas previouslyCredit: Patrick McCann

Mokhalad
3.00 Naas

Ground as deep as this may not be ideal for him, but Mokhalad is back down to his last winning mark and was just denied on his first start last season.

That makes Damian English's seven-year-old, who has already won around here twice, a real contender here. The booking of Colin Keane is obviously a positive.

Real Appeal
3.30 Naas

This year's Madrid Handicap looks extremely difficult to get a handle on but should Real Appeal's stamina hold up over this 7f trip, he could prove to be the class angle of the race.

His two-year-old form in France suggests he will handle the underfoot conditions and his trainer, Jim Bolger, sent out a treble on this card last year, suggesting this newly-gelded sort could be fairly ready on his seasonal bow.

Brogue: created a big impression last May at CorkCredit: Alain Barr

Brogue
4.00 Naas

It's difficult to get away from Investec Derby fifth Sir Dragonet but Dermot Weld's Brogue looked a Group-class performer when winning a hot Cork maiden last season and shouldn't be underestimated.

He, like Aidan O'Brien's top-rated performer in this Listed contest, must overcome a significant absence, but the 5lb he receives from the favourite gives him a live chance.

Even So
4.30 Naas

This Ger Lyons-trained filly looked a highly promising prospect when winning a Gowran maiden in September, having caught the eye a month earlier at Tipperary, and is just preferred over the talented Raven's Cry in this Group 3 contest.

She lacks the experience of some of her rivals but physically has the makings of one who would improve significantly from two to three.

Even So: should improve plenty as she develops in her three-year-old seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

Russian Emperor
5.00 Naas

Should Aidan O'Brien's Classic-entered three-year-old be sharp enough for his seasonal debut then it would be disappointing if he wasn't closely involved at the death here.

His Curragh debut last July was full of promise and he rates an exciting prospect for the season ahead.

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