One last chance to get the expenses

There is one piece of unfinished business on the domestic front before the shadow of the Cotswolds captures our imagination for an entire three days later this week and that is Sunday`s seven-race card at Naas.

Rapid Deployment is owned by the G&T Syndicate, a name that instantly conjures up the thought of that most pleasant of alcoholic concoctions sometimes enjoyed after backing a winner.

One thing for sure is that it will be in full flow in the bars around the county Kildare track if this five-year-old Deploy gelding can come up trumps in the Kilcullen Handicap Hurdle.

He has proved a great money spinner for the Pat Hughes yard, his latest effort when chasing home Cheltenham hope Calladine in the Leopardstown November Handicap over two miles. He gets in here off a mark of 87 and he looks the nap of the afternoon to beat top-weight Brookvale and recent Gowran maiden hurdle winner Room To Room Value.

Understandably at times, some trainers are seeking more fixtures from the powers that be to try and find winning brackets for their horses but those who have campaigned for extra races in the past will have to bury their heads in sand somewhat when they look at the opening 0-116 Moate Handicap Chase.

Fourteen thousand Euro in prizemoney, seven left at the scratching stage and just four declared - diabolical, you should all be ashamed.

For Ted Walsh, Willie Bourke, Arthur Moore and Bill Lanigan, though, it`s a tremendous opportunity taken by them to share out the spoils with horses that are rated 100, 94, 92 and 67 respectively. Is there a shortage of chasers rated in the 80`s and 90`s that could have taken part? Answer no.

A winners purse of ?9,660 is like a needle in a haystack to the likes of tax exile Dermot Desmond but An Modh Direach which is owned by the multi-millionaire businessman can complete a hat-trick for the Ted and Ruby Walsh alliance at the expense of theArthur Moore representative Cantiam.

On his most recent start back in January An Modh Direach notched up his second successive victory and his fourth in all over this two mile minimum trip when getting the better of Aura About Him and Fonthill at Punchestown. Despite going up another seven pounds for that victory to a current mark of 100, he is still capable of seeing off his three rivals in what turn out to be a tactical battle.

The Naas Handicap Hurdle is the richest race of the session with eleven facing the starter headed by Sean Treacy`s mare Be My Belle. Although lumbered with twelve stone she cannot be dismissed lightly in what looks a fiercely competitive contest.

One I like, though, is I`vehadit, who showed positive signs of returning to winning ways when a gallant third to Dutsdale Dancer and Sheer Frustration last month.

He appeared not to quite see out the two-and-a-half furlongs at Fairyhouse that day after holding every chance approaching the final flight and dropping back in trip here will suit.

He did notch up four on the bounce earlier this term and even though he`s now racing off a mark of 112, he just could be up to landing another tidy prize.

Selections

2.30 An Modh Direach
3.00 Rapid Deployment
3.30 Kiora Lady
4.00 Ivan De Vonnas
4.30 I`vehadit
5.00 Royal Jake
5.30 Solerina

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