Tranquil Sea takes Naas test

Edward O’Grady’s Tranquil Sea will complete his Cheltenham Festival preparations in the paddypowerpoker.com Chase at Naas on Sunday.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham earlier in the season and was not disgraced in finishing second to Golden Silver in a Grade One event over Christmas.

O’Grady admits his charge will be better once stepped back up in trip but is keen to get one more run into his charge before a Ryanair Chase tilt.

“He’s obviously better over two and a half miles but he ran well enough over Christmas and this is just a stepping stone to Cheltenham,” said O’Grady.

“He’s in good form and if all goes well he’ll head for the Ryanair Chase.”

Tranquil Sea faces five rivals in the Grade Two contest, with the Willie Mullins-trained Scotsirish likely to put up most resistance.

“He has been in great form since beating Snowy Morning at Fairyhouse in January,” the champion trainer said in his weekly blog on www.goracing.ie.

“While the ground was heavy that day, I always think Scots is better on a bit of better ground, and it should be slightly drier this time. I’m hoping for a big run.”

Carthalawn, Made In Taipan, Mansony and Benefit Night complete the field.