Aridity bidding for another Naas success Willie McCreery sends Aridity back to Naas after his course and distance win at the end of May for Sunday's Michael Higgins & Co. Handicap. William Buick was aboard Aridity for that success, and Declan McDonogh takes over on the Godolphin chestnut for his latest assignment. He must now operate off an 11Ib higher mark. In the same ownership, Theodorico, who finished third behind Aridity last time, reopposes for Jim Bolger, as does the sixth home on that occasion, Rayisa. Things may pan out differently as the mile event will be staged on much softer ground. The presence of handicap first-timers, Misty Millie, Tony The Gent and Californiadreaming adds interest to the three-year-old contest. Bolger and Kevin Manning combine with Theodorico, and the Coolcullen team send Al Mohalhal into battle in the four-runner Hospitality At Naas Race. Given that Al Mohalhal is assessed as a 102-performer, he has to be given every chance against Cool Thunder (98), Flowerhill Nova (79) and Vitello (99). Cool Thunder finished fifth on her first start this term, in the Irish 1,000 Guineas behind Jet Setting in May. Kevin Prendergast dropped the daughter of Shamardal in trip for her last outing at Fairyhouse and she drops further in distance this weekend. She's a course and distance winner over the six furlongs at Naas, though, and it could be that the horse she was beaten by at Fairyhouse last month - Dermot Weld's Raymonda - is a horse we'll be hearing plenty more about. Cool Thunder should certainly put it up to Al Mohalhal and company. Ballydoyle's How could benefit from the addition of a hood in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden.
