The well-regarded Naas Racecourse will stage an attractive seven-race flat programme on Monday, 3 August, with a competitive afternoon of Irish racing scheduled from 14:17 until 17:20. The fixture will feature a balanced mix of sprint races, handicaps, an apprentice contest, a valuable juvenile feature and a fillies’ maiden. The meeting will offer substantial prize money throughout the card, headed by the €200,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes (Median Sires Series), while races will be contested over distances ranging from 5f to 1m 2f 184yds. Several established performers and promising younger horses will be expected to line up, ensuring another quality day’s racing at the County Kildare venue.
The opening contest will be The TRM Ironxcell For Energy Race, scheduled for 14:17. Worth €18,000 and run over 5f 205yds, the opening sprint will provide a competitive start to the afternoon. Gerard O’Leary-trained Tolebi, Michael’s Well from the Eddie & Patrick Harty stable and M. J. Byrne’s Likedbymike will be among the notable runners expected to line up, while several other sprinters will add further depth to the field.
The second race on the programme will be The Sprint Handicap at 14:47. The €20,000 contest over 5f 205yds will bring together another competitive field of speedsters. Amiata, representing the G.M. Lyons yard, Red Evolution from the M.D. O’Callaghan stable and David Marnane-trained Gavoo will be expected to feature prominently, with a large field likely to ensure another closely contested sprint.
Attention will then switch to The Apprentice Handicap, which will be run at 15:17 over 5f for a prize fund of €10,000. The contest will provide apprentice riders with an important opportunity to showcase their abilities in a competitive handicap. Caffu Zafeen, trained by Paul W. Flynn, and John Andrew Kinsella’s Tawaazon will be among the expected contenders, while several other runners will bid to make their presence felt.
Midway through the afternoon, The Handicap will take centre stage at 15:47. Run for €12,000 over 7f, the contest will suit horses capable of combining tactical speed with stamina. Ross O’Sullivan’s Altimara and Maurice Andrew Ahern-trained Lough Leane will headline the expected field, with a number of additional runners set to provide further competition.
The fifth event on the card will be The Handicap, due off at 16:17. Offering €15,000 in prize money and run over 1m 2f 184yds, the race will test stamina as much as finishing speed. Daler, trained by G.M. Lyons, and Mrs John Harrington’s Diamond Exchange will be among the principal contenders expected to take their chance in another competitive handicap.
Feature race honours will belong to The Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes (Median Sires Series) at 16:47. The prestigious juvenile contest will carry a prize fund of €200,000 over 5f 205yds, making it comfortably the richest race on the programme. A.P. O’Brien’s South Dakota and Joseph Patrick O’Brien-trained Star Prospect will be among the leading names in a talented field of two-year-olds, while several other promising youngsters will also aim to enhance their reputations in one of the meeting’s standout events.
The meeting will conclude with The Hurling For Cancer On August 24th Fillies Maiden at 17:20. The closing race will be worth €12,000 and will be run over 1m, giving lightly raced fillies another opportunity to secure a maiden success. Dark Willow, trained by Mrs Mary Whelehan, and Eddie & Patrick Harty’s Zarenakarena will be among the expected runners, with the finale providing an interesting conclusion to the day’s racing.
Naas will present a well-balanced programme featuring competitive sprint contests, valuable handicaps and quality opportunities for both experienced performers and emerging talent. With strong prize money across the card and The Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes (Median Sires Series) serving as the headline event, Monday’s meeting will offer another notable afternoon of Irish flat racing.
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