Sunday Tipping: 'With underfoot conditions likely to suit he can give a good account at a decent price off his revised rating over what looks an ideal trip' All eyes will be on the returning Kopek Des Bordes if he lines up in the Barberstown Castle Chase (2.39) at Naas on Sunday where the first of eight races gets underway at 12 noon. Willie Mullins has also declared Westport Cove, down the field when last seen in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last Christmas, a race in which another challenger on Sunday Irish Panther finished second. If Kopek Des Bordes does line up and punters are prepared to take the short price it’ll be heart in the mouth stuff. He was travelling ominously well when he crashed out at the second last in a Grade 1 at Punchestown last April after throwing away his Arkle when fluffing his lines at the final fence. It’ll be a watching brief for me but let’s hope he can get everything right on his return. On a card with several big names reappearing for the first time this season, The Mourne Rambler makes his much-awaited hurdling debut for Noel Meade and Sam Ewing in the Cavan Developments Maiden Hurdle (12.30). The Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner will also be a short price to score where his biggest danger might well be Caman Hill now trained by race sponsor Oliver McKiernan after changing hands since winning his bumper at Bellewstown. Anzadam once looked the real deal over hurdles when winning a Grade 3 here in January last year, but did himself no favours afterwards when running with the choke out several times. Going over fences could be the making of him and he gets a confident vote to land a competitive beginners chase at 3.13pm. The race also includes interesting chasing recruits’ Grade 1-winning hurdler Eachtotheirown (Barry Connell) and three-time hurdle winner Koktail Brut (Gordon Elliott) who finished behind the former in fifth at Punchestown last April. If none the worse for his exertions at Clonmel on Thursday Nelson Muntz is worth taking a chance on again in the competitive €45,000 Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f. Harry Kelly’s gelding won over this trip on his penultimate start on good ground at Gowran and wasn’t disgraced off his revised 6lb higher rating when a close third behind French import J’arrive De L’est when tried over three miles for the first time. He jumped well and was keen at times off a moderate pace in Philip Enright’s hands, but this drop back down in trip should hopefully be in his favour. With underfoot conditions likely to suit (won his maiden hurdle over 2m at Killarney on good to yielding), he can give a good account at a decent price off his revised rating, over what looks an deal trip. Sunday Staking Plan 2.04 Naas 1pt each-way Nelson Muntz 3.13 Naas 2pt win Anzadam
