Shuffle The Deck is back on song at Naas Shuffle The Deck put a disappointing effort here last time in Grade 1 company behind him when regaining the winning thread in the Colm White Bookmakers Rated Novice Hurdle at Naas. The combination of very testing ground and top-level competition proved too much last time when pulled up in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle and he added to a 2m4f maiden win at this venue back in December. Jody McGarvey’s mount headed the front-running Casheldale Lad between the final two flights and was kept up to his work on the run-in. The 5/1 shot beat the pacesetter by three lengths with Adela Icon a further seven lengths back in third. Winning trainer Ted Walsh said, “That was nice. I thought two was a bit sharp for him. “I was hoping to go to Fairyhouse or Punchestown and whether he’ll run there depends on the ground. It was just alright today, I wouldn’t have run him on anything quicker. “He’s a big horse with a future in front of him, he’s a great leaper. “At least he put a bad run here in the Grade 1 behind him. He was out of his comfort zone then on very bad ground. “He’s taking a bit of time to mature and hopefully he goes the right way. He won a point-to-point, and I’d say he’ll make a nice three-mile chaser. “I was surprised to see him win over two, which is always a good sign. “He liked a bit of good ground. I thought he was a bit of a mudlark but it was bottomless here in January and I’d say he just didn’t like it.” Quotes by Gary Carson
