A look ahead to tomorrow's card at Naas

Jimmy Mangan is chasing further National glory at Naas on Sunday when Letter Of Credit lines up in the Woodlands Park 100 Club Leinster National Handicap Chase.

Mangan famously sent out Montys Pass to win the 2003 Aintree Grand National and while Letter Of Credit has some way to go to match that star chaser, the race has a good record of producing future staying chase winners.

Saoirse Dun finished second in last year's renewal before filling third in the Irish National while Bluesea Cracker, narrowly beaten in the 2010 race, did win the Irish National on her next start.

Bluesea Cracker's rider Andrew McNamara partners Letter Of Credit and Mangan is hopeful of a good run.

He said: "Letter Of Credit seems very well and came out his run at Navan very well. He was unlucky to have clouted the last and he may have won only for that (mistake) and the jockey did well to stay on board.

"He has a lot of weight, that's the only thing, but Naas on soft ground over three miles will suit. I've Kerry and Aintree Nationals won so a Leinster National would be nice."

Paddy Power Chase winner Living Next Door is burdened with top weight in the race while the other last-time out winner in the race Miss Xian, who scored over course and distance last month, carries bottom weight but races from 6lb out of the handicap.

Eoin Griffin is hopeful his Azorian's career is back on track following a win at Navan last weekend and the trainer sends the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding into action for the Grade Three Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase.

Azorian's early career was full of promise and while he landed his maiden hurdle in November 2013 by all of 21 lengths, had been without a win before landing a beginners chase at Navan last Saturday.

Co Kilkenny based Griffin said: "He came out of his race very well and while it is his third run in quick succession, this looks a good opportunity. He seems fresh and well and his run over hurdles at Clonmel brought him on before winning at Navan.

"It wasn't the strongest of races at Navan, but he has form tying in with Apache Stronghold and The Tullow Tank earlier in the season and if he comes back to his best, he has a good chance."

Griffin has been without a flag-bearer in recent years, adding: "I've been happy with the way things have been going this season and while I'd prefer if things were better, there's a lot more to be positive about this season going forward than in previous years and I've a few nice young horses to run."

Opposing Azorian are four closely-rated rivals, with Rule The World, runner-up to A New One in the 2013 Neptune Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, top rated at 143.

Also in the line-up are the 142-rated Noble Emperor, runner-up to Cheltenham winner Very Wood last time out, while Lots Of Memories and Fine Rightly are both on 138 and have also been in good health in recent runs.

One-time Cheltenham Festival 'regular' Golantilla won't be at the English venue next week but instead holds leading claims in the Listed Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle at Naas on Sunday.

The Barry Connell-owned and Tony Martin-trained gelding is one of the few horses to have competed in two Cheltenham Bumpers and while he finished a credible third in 2013, he was only 11th in last year's renewal.

Golantilla faces eight rivals on just his third hurdle starts and Martin said: "He seems in good form and I was happy with him when he was third in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas. After that we decided that we'd wait for a bit of drier ground and the drying ground should suit.

"He has finished third in a Cheltenham Bumper and has done nothing wrong and has finished first and third in his only two hurdle runs so you'd have to be happy with that and if he finished in the first three on Sunday, I'd happy with him again."

A Grade One-placed effort would normally have opponents running for cover but Golantilla did finish last of the completed trio in that Leopardstown race and JP McManus and Gigginstown, owners of four of the main dangers, will be hopeful of beating Golantilla.

McManus runs Henry Higgins, who understandably failed to beat Cheltenham-bound Kitten Rock and Douvan on his latest starts, while of the Gigginstown trio, retained jockey Bryan Cooper has picked the Henry De Bromhead-trained Identity Thief.