Amix returns to Naas with high hopes Tom Cooper expects a bold show from Son Amix in the Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas tomorrow. The four-year-old showed some excellent form during his first season for the Tralee handler, winning at Navan and running well at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. There was no disgrace in his comeback second to Shinrock Paddy at this track, and Cooper believes his charge will strip much fitter with that run under his belt. "He ran well to finish second to Shinrock Paddy the last day, who is a Grade One horse," said the trainer. "We were receiving a lot of weight on the day but in fairness, our horse is a four-year-old and Shinrock Paddy is a six-year-old, so we were entitled to be getting a bit. I think he'll have improved a lot for a run as he hadn't been away for a racecourse gallop beforehand. "He's a two-and-a-half-mile horse really, but two miles should be all right for him round Naas as it's a good, stiff track. Alaivan would be the one to beat, but our horse is in good form." The Edward O'Grady-trained Alaivan finished third in last season's Triumph Hurdle and makes his first appearance since pulling up at Auteuil in May. Mighty Whitey, Leblon, Cuchullain and Red Cert complete the line-up.
