Iveagh House can get punters off to good start in Naas
Iveagh House can ensure another busy weekend gets off to the best possible start for punters by winning the Irish EBF Maiden at Naas. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Iveagh House can ensure another busy weekend gets off to the best possible start for punters by winning the Irish EBF Maiden, the opening race on day one of the two-day October meeting at Naas.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Starspangledbanner colt shaped encouragingly when fourth on debut at the Curragh in August and the form of that race has had several boosts since.
Winner Monogram finished second to Folsom Blues in the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes next time out while runner-up Salt Lake and third horse home Noble Exhibit have won since.
Selosse, who finished fifth on that occasion, will again be in opposition on Saturday but, with the step up a mile expected to suit, Iveagh House is fancied to confirm Curragh form with Jessica Harrington’s charge.
The listed RFL Steels Stakes is Saturday’s Naas feature and Staysound Susie ought to be in the mix for the Slattery team.
The five-year-old US Navy Flag mare has only won one of her seven starts this season but she ran her best race since that April success at the Curragh when fifth to Carla Ridge at the same venue last Sunday.
If Staysound Susie can build on that improved effort, she shouldn’t be far away here.
Pink Venom can complete a hat-trick on the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap.
The Johnny Murtagh-trained Soldier’s Call filly got off the mark at the fourth time of asking when scoring at Fairyhouse last month and defied a 9lb hike to follow up at Cork eight days’ later. Another 10lb rise may not be enough to stop home from going in again.
Saturday’s jumps action comes from Fairyhouse where Granlahan is fancied to get off the mark at the 15th time of asking when he contests the Protection & Prosperity Financial Services Supporting Louth GAA Handicap Hurdle.
The Ado McGuinness-trained four-year-old went closer than ever when beaten a shorthead by Footstepstoglory at Killarney last Sunday. That was the fourth time in his last five starts that Granlahan found only one too good but this may be the weekend where he finally gets his head in front.
Sunday’s National Hunt card comes from Cork with the Co-Op Superstores Handicap Chase the feature.
Jasko Des Dames looks the likely favourite but the Mick Winters-trained Crowsatedappletart may be able to thwart him on his 50th career start.
The nine-year-old mixes it between hurdles and fences but is a far more potent force over the bigger obstacles. His sole victory in 2026 came over fences at Wexford in May while he was also successful in that sphere at Limerick this time last year.
Having acquitted himself well when fifth over hurdles at Galway last month, another big run can be anticipated here.
Naas hosts its final Flat meeting of the season on Sunday and The Scallionator, successful at Cork before finishing ninth at Fairyhouse last month, looks the one to beat in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final.
Elsewhere on the card, Joseph O’Brien can win both listed prizes up for grabs, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes and the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes courtesy of Princess Child and Beset respectively.
1.40 Iveagh House (Nap)
2.15 Zelani
2.50 Pink Venom
3.28 Staysound Susie
4.08 Apache Outlaw
4.40 Therewillbeglory
5.15 Zenford
1.40 Selosse
2.15 Tax Me Later
2.50 Lars Soldier
3.28 Bamako Beach
4.08 Keke
4.40 Justiciar
5.15 Oro Blanco
1.58 Glen Kiln
2.33 Straight John
3.10 Anodandawink
3.50 Marie D'angos
4.25 Not In A Hurry
5.00 Granlahan (NB)
5.35 Gaelic Seer
1.58 Manoir De Mirande
2.33 Fort Dino
3.10 Smallcraftwarning
3.50 The Hidden Kingdom
4.25 Might Be The One
5.00 Champagne Dawn
5.35 Miss Kobe
1.20 Fly Smartly
1.56 Major Triumph
2.30 The Scallionator (NB)
3.05 Princess Child
3.40 Beset
4.15 Factual Fact
4.50 Guy's Girl
5.25 Vanir
1.20 Film Set
1.56 Bengal Tiger
2.30 Dawnmore
3.05 Drop Dead Gorgeous
3.40 Caught U Sleeping
4.15 Not Just Any Eagle
4.50 Senna's Girl
5.25 Letiza
1.02 World Of The Way
1.37 Atomic City
2.12 Boola Times
2.47 Conor'salwaysright
3.22 Minella Emperor
3.57 Seven Towers
4.32 Crowsatedappletart (Nap)
5.07 Passenger
1.02 Plumton Queen
1.37 Chairmanforlife
2.12 Gortmore Lady
2.47 Square Jasmin
3.22 Dad Sez
3.57 Rosenborg
4.32 Jasko Des Dames
5.07 Rokanako.
