Maree on National duty again The Woodlands Park 100 Club Leinster National Handicap Chase at Naas on Sunday has the makings of another competitive renewal with few of the 14 runners without a chance. Cork National and Munster National hero Raz De Maree heads the field, and his trainer Dessie Hughes is understandably concerned about giving away plenty weight. "Raz De Maree was was well beaten the last day and I was disappointed to see the weights go up for this, as he's a small horse. He's in the Grand National (number 58 on the list) and I've no idea at the moment if he'll get in," said Hughes. Another trainer with eyes on a bigger prize later in the season is Philip Rothwell, who runs Saoirse Dun. "My horses are running really well at the moment and he's in very good form and should appreciate the better ground. I'm really looking forward to Sunday and hoping he'll be in the shake-up as, long term, he needs three or four pounds to get into the Irish National," said Rothwell. "Ideally he would need to be placed to get that sort of rise but if he does, I think I've a right chance in an Irish National with him if gets the right weight. At his current rating of 125, he has no chance of running in an Irish National but if he was rated 128-129 it would put him ahead of that bunch of horses. "I wouldn't risk him on anything better than yielding but he never got to run on his correct ground last season and hated bottomless ground - he's a stone better on better ground." A trainer to have already won that Fairyhouse showpiece is Jim Dreaper, who runs Thyestes Chase runner-up Los Amigos. Dreaper said: "I'm very hopeful as he has a nice racing weight, seems to act best on testing ground and stays well. He ran well in the Thyestes Chase when beaten by a good horse and while he has an entry in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, after Naas I expect him to run in the Irish National." Monty's Pass's trainer Jimmy Mangan runs Castle Wings in the race and feels he has a chance of being in the money, saying: "He has been good servant and has a lovely racing weight. I'm hoping he'll be in the first three as he stays well and will love the ground." Willie Mullins is represented by just Up The Beat in the race but the nine-year-old needs to shape much better than when last on his first run for two years over hurdles at Punchestown last month. Gallant Oscar has his first run over fences for Tony Martin, having won from a low hurdle mark recently, while Gigginstown House Stud are represented by Panther Claw and Folsom Blue, who was well beaten by runaway winner Mozoltov in a Graded race here a fortnight ago.
