RACING:IN THE midst of the 2012 classic campaign it might seem odd to ponder that the impact of Bank Holiday action at Naas on the 2013 classics but that's a result of Dawn Approach's appearance this afternoon, writes Brian O'Connor.
The son of Jim Bolger’s 2008 Derby winner New Approach makes his third career start in the Listed Alfred Nobel Rochestown Stakes and bookmakers will be watching intently.
Dawn Approach is running over the same course and distance at which he won so impressively last month that some layers installed him as a 20 to 1 favourite for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.
Anything other than a convincing win against half-a-dozen opponents will make a mockery of such odds but this will be no easy test for the Bolger runner.
The Richard Hannon-Richard Hughes team know what it takes to win this having scored with Lilbourne Lad last year and the Goodwood winner Mister Marc is travelling over this time.
And Aidan O’Brien unveils a newcomer in Pedro The Great, a half brother to the Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand who famously landed a major gamble on his own Naas debut eight years ago.
True Verdict ran a race full of promise on her debut behind stable companion Mironica here and can surprise a few in the fillies sprint while Opa Loca could land the final handicap in first time blinkers.
Ground conditions will be testing for Listowel’s Bank Holiday action but that shouldn’t be an issue for Commanchewardance in the featured handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs.
