The Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase is the centrepiece as jump racing returns to Naas Racecourse on Sunday and the race will mark the return to action of Grade 1 winner Marine Nationale.

The Barry Connell-trained seven-year-old provided his owner/trainer with a memorable success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year and Connell has had the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas earmarked for the return of his stable star.

“We picked this race out six months ago and it is the obvious place to start,” Connell said. “He gets all of the allowances and he is in great order and we are looking forward to it.

“He had a very minor suspensory injury, we just gave him the full time and he’s had a summers grass now as well. We couldn’t be happier with how the preparation is going for him and he handles good ground which it looks like it will be in Naas this weekend.”

Hot renewal

In what looks set to be a hotly contested renewal of the two mile chase, Marine Nationale could face opposition from 2021 Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios for in form trainer Henry de Bromhead and the Willie Mullins-trained Hercule Du Seuil, who was last seen when third in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Zanahiyr will bring match practice to the table having been campaigned during the summer months including a bold effort to finish third in the Galway Plate, while trainer John Ryan could be double handed with Gaelic Arc and Lucid Dreams. The Peter Croke-trained Miss Gherkin has also been given an entry for the Grade 3 contest.

Barry Connell may also be represented by last year’s winner Espanito Bello in the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle. The 10-year-old will go in search of a third course and distance win in Sunday’s richest race of the day and will also face tough opposition with the likes of Ted Walsh’s Gaoth Chuil, Mark Fahey’s Happy Jacky and the James Fahey-trained Iamagetaway.

The Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring is a notable inclusion among the entries for the Mongey Communications Beginners Chase. A talented performer on the flat and over hurdles, the four-year-old looks set to start off over fences on Sunday for trainer Joseph O’Brien, while another notable entry on the card is Naas bumper winner Forty Coats who could make his hurdling debut for Henry de Bromhead and owner Chris Jones in the Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle.

Stepping forward

On what promises to be an intriguing card at the County Kildare venue, Listowel Harvest Festival winner Zariygann could take another step forward in his hurdling career as the Mick Halford and Tracey Collins-trained four-year-old looks to extend his winning sequence over flights to three in the Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle.

Impressive in both hurdle starts so far, Zariygann will face the Henry de Bromhead-trained Wonleg and the 123-rated Palamon for trainer Paul Nolan.

The first race on Sunday’s eight-race card is due off at 11.50am and further details can be found on naasracecourse.com