Naas, Monday 27 April 2026 — Good To Yielding
A compact but punchy evening card at Naas with three featured races worth getting involved in. The good to yielding ground suits horses with a bit of class and a recent run in the legs, and the going should be consistent throughout. Three races stand out as betting propositions: the Listed sprint opener, the Premier Handicap over a mile, and the 6f handicap that headlines the middle of the card.
7:15 — Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (Listed, 5f)
Selection: Bucanero Fuerte — 7/2 Bet365
This is a quality 16-runner sprint, but the form pointer is clear enough. Bucanero Fuerte, trained by Robson De Aguiar and ridden by David Egan, returned from his aborted stud career last year and proved he had lost nothing, winning a Listed race at this course on good ground and then following up in a Curragh Group 3 over 6f. A fine third in the Flying Five at the Curragh Group 1 confirms he belongs at this level. His Breeders' Cup run can be forgiven, soft ground played a part, and the spotlight specifically flags better expected now on good to yielding. A C&D Listed winner who handles this surface: that is the profile you want at the head of the market.
Each-way interest: Getreadytorumble Each-Way — 11/2 Bet Victor
Jack Channon's yard has come out of the blocks hard this spring, winning 5 from 23 in the last fortnight, and Getreadytorumble arrives at 11/2 having been highly progressive through his three-year-old season, winning a maiden and two handicaps and then filling third in the Listed Rous Stakes at Ascot on soft ground. Ground versatility is noted, and stepping into Listed company off the back of that Ascot third is not a huge ask. Three places at 1/5 odds makes him a solid each-way play in a big field at a double-figure price. Tom Marquand takes the ride, which never hurts.
7:45 — Naas Racecourse Business Club Blackwater Handicap (Premier Handicap, 1m)
Selection: Invincible Will — 6/1 Bet365, William Hill, Coral
Ryan Moore on the O'Brien runner will attract the bulk of the money, but Trojan Warrior looked thoroughly lost in the Guineas trial at Leopardstown and you need more than one impressive maiden win to justify taking a short price here. The more interesting angle is Invincible Will at 6/1 across the board. Gavin Cromwell's gelding showed genuine ability in nurseries last autumn, winning over 7f at the Curragh on easy ground, and came back from his winter break to post a cracking second at Cork over a mile on soft to heavy. The step up to a mile on good to yielding looks a positive, and with Cromwell showing strong recent form across his yard, the signs point to this horse being trained for this kind of spot. A mark that reflects his soft-ground nursery form rather than what he could produce on better going gives you the value edge. Robert Whearty, who rode Big Gossey to win the Gladness, rides again.
Each-way each angle: Bobby McGee Each-Way — 13/2 Bet365
Noel Meade's gelding had a long layoff and came back gelded to win a Gowran maiden over 7f on soft ground. He ran well in a good early summer as a juvenile, the mile is new territory, but Jamestown, who chased him home at Gowran, has been given an 81 mark for handicap debut, suggesting that form is worth respecting. Three places at 1/5 odds makes a saver case at 13/2.
6:15 — Colm White Bookmaker Handicap (6f Handicap, 13 runners)
Selection: Tango Flare Each-Way — 6/1 Bet365 (5/1 William Hill)
This has to be one of the most interesting handicaps on the card. Tango Flare, trained by Patrick Foley, finished last season in career-best form. He bolted up at 50/1 in the Bold Lad at the Curragh over 6 furlongs on yielding ground, then followed up with a 1.75-length second in a Listed race at this exact track over 6 furlongs on yielding. That is two high-quality performances on this surface at this venue in the space of weeks. The knock is he has needed his first run back in each of the last two seasons, but he is back for another season off that winning form, and the going conditions today replicate exactly what he excelled on last autumn. Four places at 1/5 odds in a 13-runner field makes each-way play correct here. Bishopton at 4/1 is the likely market leader and has his own claims, but the drop to 6f is flagged as a concern in the spotlight, and his turf record of one win from eleven starts asks questions. Tango Flare on this going, at this track, over this trip represents the better value.
Slattery's Staysound Susie has yard form behind her, Andrew Slattery running at over 18% in the last fortnight, but she is on a career-high mark and needs to improve again. She can place but is not the bet.
Today's NAP
Odds: 6/1 — Bet365 (others: 5/1 William Hill, 9.4 Betfair Exchange)
Won over this course, distance and going last autumn and then ran to Listed level on the same conditions a fortnight later. Needs his first run back, yes, but this IS his first run back and the conditions are identical to his peak form. Patrick Foley's yard is capable of producing horses fit on return, and in a 13-runner handicap where the spotlight and form point to a horse likely to outrun his price, 6/1 is very much on the generous side. Four places paid in a big field.
Each-Way Recommended — 4 places at 1/5 odds