ROSTROPOVICH MAKES WINNING BOW AT NAAS

Naas, so often referred to as 'the punters graveyard' produced a real beano for the layers in the opening two mile maiden hurdle when well supported Suave Native trailed in a disappointing 13th.

Supported from 7/4 to 4/5 after several substantial wagers in the ring, the Edward O'Grady-trained son of Suave Dancer was later found to have an upper respiratory tract infection post race.

It was a different story for connections of Rostropovich when they recovered a fraction of the 180,000 gns they forked out for Aidan O'Brien's inmate last year. Now under the care of Mouse Morris, the Sadler's Wells grey, despite drifting from 2/1 to 6/1 in the ring, stayed on well from the last under David Casey to make a winning debut at the expense of Kadoun and Dianeme.

Rostopovich appears under Dublin businessman Tony Kilduff on the racecard but among the elusive list of shareholders in this expensive colt include the likes of former Esat supremo Denis O'Brien and Grand Prix racing guru Eddie Jordan.

Not present at Naas, they will surely be making the trip to Cheltenham in March where Morris has the Sun Alliance Hurdle in mind.

'That was very satisfactory, especially on that ground (officially soft),' said Morris before he added, 'He stays forever and looks a Sun Alliance horse.'

Also likely to take his chance in that contest at the Cotswolds is the Dessie Hughes-trained Colonel Braxton. Under a confident ride from Kieran Kelly, the 9/4 chance settled the 2m3f maiden hurdle in a matter of strides on the approach to the final flight drawing steadily clear on the run-in to come home with thirteen lengths to spare over market leader Doonaree.

'He goes on the ground, has a bit of toe and stays for forever. He has everything,' commented Hughes afterwards. Cashmans quote Colonel Braxton at 16/1 for the Sun Alliance Hurdle while the Cork firm have Rostropovich two points shorter at 14/1 for the second day opener at the Festival in March.

Favourite backers had to wait until the Liffey handicap Chase (4th race), to draw when light-weight Kings Valley scored in the hands of Norman Williamson. A stewards enquiry was called when the winner appeared to slightly hamper runner-up Delgany Royal on landing over the last but as expected the judges placings remained unaltered.

Risk Accessor relished the two-and-a-half mile trip in the Woodlands Park Slaney Novice Hurdle when he forged past a game Bob Justice and Ruby Walsh after the final flight to score under a typically inspired Charlie Swan ride.

A delighted Christy Roche remarked, of J.P. McManus's charge 'I was very disappointed with him at Leopardstown (8L 5th to Ned Kelly 2m). He has loads of ability but I'm not sure whether he puts it all in. There is plenty of good money to be won but I have no definite plans yet.'

Cashmans left the Christy Roche-trained gelding unchanged at 25/1 for the Sun Alliance Hurdle.

Roche and McManus finished the session on a winning note when seven-year-old newcomer Like-A-Butterfly scored in great style under Alan Crowe. Not qualified for the Cheltenham bumper because of her age, she is the first horse McManus has registered with his three children namely Kieran, John and Sueanne.

'The best bumper mare I have ever trained. She stays forever and we'll find a winners bumper or maybe even a novice hurdle as she jumps very well at home,' said Roche after recording his 7/1 double.

A bumper crowd of 4,500 people helped swell the bookmaker turnover to a Naas record #1,035,505 during the aftenoon.BF