Saturday Tipping: Small field for the Birdcatcher at Naas The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery (2.50pm) at Naas on Saturday is traditionally a double-digit field with the last time the race attracted single figures going back to 2019 when just seven runners lined up. In the hope that all eight stand their ground ROEILLAUN might outrun her odds for Noel Meade and apprentice title-chasing Reese Holohan claiming the five pounds off her back. A line can be put through her last run, albeit when sent off at 150/1, when she stepped up to seven furlongs for the first time in the valuable Goffs Million. She was drawn in one and raced keenly in the early stages tacking over to the nearside with the remainder of the 18-runner field. Not helped when she was forced wide after passing the two pole her rider quickly accepted the situation and allowed her to come home in her own time. Back over 6f here should help her cause having run with credit over this course and distance when third behind Zoar before then opening her account in a 13-runner Navan 6f maiden last month. The progressive hat-trick seeking Pink Venom (Johnny Murtagh) will need a career-best effort if she is to come out on top with Navan scorer Lars Soldier more likely to appreciate this drop back into handicap company after she was outclassed in a Listed contest at Fairyhouse. Big Gossey makes a quick reappearance in the RFL Steels Stakes (3.28), the Charles O’Brien-trained money-spinner dropping back over a furlong under Robert Whearty who teamed up at the Curragh last week when the pair finished fifth behind King Cuan in the 7f Concorde Stakes. Big Gossey also finished fifth when he lined up in this Naas race 12 months ago behind the Jack Davison-trained winner Thunderbear who also turns out again for new trainer Stephen Thorne along with the runner-up that day Tango Flare (Pat Foley). The near 6f race also includes sole British challenger La Brodeuse (Kevin Ryan), one of seven rides on the day for the returning Shane Foley from suspension, and Bamako Beach trying this trip for the first time after a disappointing run when favourite for a Longchamp 7f Group 3 event last month. One that’ll prefer an ease in the ground is the returning TWO STARS who has won on a few occasions before following a break. Outclassed in the Group 1 Flying Five on his last appearance over a year ago, he had previously made a winning seasonal return at the Curragh in March last year before following up over 5f at Naas when taking the Woodland Stakes the following month. The jumping action at Fairyhouse gets underway with the 2m110yds beginners chase at 1.58pm and it looks a great opportunity for SWEET KILN to make a good start to his chasing career. While he normally would take a run to sharpen him up, his form over hurdles was far superior to any of his five rivals here having scored five times over the smaller obstacles including a Grade 3 event at Naas last January. With trainer Harry Kelly in blistering form having sent out three winners from his last five runners, it’ll be hard to look beyond his runner here on seasonal debut carrying the Michael Bowe silks so famously associated with the legendary 35-time winner Limestone Lad. Saturday Staking Plan 1.58 Fairyhouse 1pt win Sweet Kiln 2.50 Naas 1pt each-way Roeillaun 3.28 Naas 1pt win Two Stars
