d1.40 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden 1m

Chicago Critic can kick on from a promising debut at this track. Racing over seven furlongs, Johnny Murtagh’s colt gradually worked his way into contention in the straight, to be beaten three lengths into third by Bluedrum. He should have learned plenty for the experience and should also appreciate this longer trip.

Gallantly ran seventh in that race, disappointing as an 8/11 favourite but he should also benefit from the experience and may do better now. His stablemate Chemistry wears blinkers on his debut but is attractively bred and may well make a big challenge.

SELECTION: CHICAGO CRITIC

Next best: Gallantly

2.15 Sobac Soil.ie Sponsoring At Naas Maiden 1m

Ballsbridge is an intriguing runner. The son of Japanese sire Lord Kanaloa hasn’t been seen since a promising debut run at Navan way back in March, when he finished fourth to stablemate Drumroll. He ran with credit there, getting himself into a challenging position one furlong out, only to give way late on. He has been given plenty of time since that effort and may well show the benefit of it now.

Frazil, Jim Bolger’s colt, actually has quite a similar profile in that he hasn’t been seen since a pleasing debut run in March either. He finished fifth to Shadowed at the Curragh. Of the newcomers, Mooretown Lad catches the eye. He is out of a half sister to I Am Superman and it is interesting that Colin Keane has been booked to ride.

SELECTION: BALLSBRIDGE

Next best: Frazil

2.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Nursery 5f 205yds

This premier nursery looks as trappy as ever but Clarita makes plenty of appeal off a mark of 76. Gavin Cromwell’s filly is coming off a big effort to finish third in the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales race at the Irish Champions Festival. She came from an unpromising position to hit the frame there and it’s worth noting that the horse she beat into fourth, Vestigia, ran a very similar style race and has since come out and just failed to win a nursery but rising her mark by 4lb in the process. The return to six furlongs and a strong pace to run off should suit the daughter of Calyx.

There are many dangers. The pick of them could be Noel Meade’s Gandolfo who has finished third on each of his last three starts but has been racing in good company, notably chasing home subsequent Beresford third Grosvenor Square at Galway. Jalaybee also has notable form given he was just touched off by Givemethebeatboys when last seen. He has since been gelded and now wears blinkers for the first time so could be dangerous.

SELECTION: CLARITA

Next best: Gandolfo

3.35 RFL Steels Stakes

(Listed) 5f 250yds

Thunderbear will have conditions to suit here but has a Group 3 penalty to carry and that may open the door for another success for Big Gossey. Charles O’Brien’s six-year-old finds himself again in rare old form, having taken the Bold Lad Handicap for a second time last month and then running Go Athletico to a half length in a Group 3 contest over the same course and distance. He has since finished fourth to Harry’s Bar at Dundalk but may be better off now back on turf.

Tango Flare looks next best on the weights. He progressed nicely through his first three runs this season before finishing seventh to Moss Tucker in a Group 3. He needs to prove he can handle the likely soft ground but if he does, he could be thereabouts.

SELECTION: BIG GOSSEY

Next best: Tango Flare

4.00 SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Handicap 5f 205yds

It might be worth taking a chance on Stag Night at a potentially big price. Willie McCreery’s gelding ran his best race for some time when only beaten two and a quarter lengths by Dragon Of Malta at Listowel. He is a five-year-old that has raced just seven times but he has won twice, both over roughly this trip, and he has been given a real chance from the handicapper as he is now 12lb below that previous winning mark, which came just four runs ago.

There are a good few more solid options here, notably the Eddie Lynam-trained Heavenly Power and Collective Power, first and third on their last starts in the same Navan race. They are likely to be involved again along with Jon Riggens, who will be a threat as always if the timing of his challenge comes right.

SELECTION: STAG NIGHT

Next best: Heavenly Power

4.35 Oktoberfest Weekend Handicap 7f

Joe Masseria could be answer to this competitive heat. Noel Meade’s gelding seemed to be trained as a Galway horse through first half of the season and he ran very well at Ballybrit, finishing a close-up fifth to Couer D’or in the Colm Quinn and then getting no run when 10th to Dunum in the Ahonoora. He disappointed on his only run since when last in the Irish Cambridgeshire but he is much better than that, and freshened up since, he could be dangerous again off a mark of 84, returning to the course and distance of one of his three wins.

This contest is full of likeable and consistent types like Verhoyen, Spanish Tenor, Earls, No More Porter and Facethepuckout. You couldn’t rule any of them out but the last mentioned might fare best. He hasn’t been out of the first three in all four of his runs at Naas.

SELECTION: JOE MASSERIA

Next best: Facethepuckout

5.10 TRM Calphormin Fillies Maiden 7f

Quantum Light can get off the mark for Andrew Slattery. The daughter of Kodiac has hit the frame six times from 10 starts, having begun training in Ralph Beckett’s yard. She showed her ability to handle soft ground on her first start in Ireland when second to Rio Largo at Galway and her two runs since that have been solid. A mark in the mid 70s which may well be enough to take this.

Hasiyna should be a big challenger. She has finished third on her last two starts and handles soft ground. She could be a little overrated in the betting because of her connections.

SELECTION: QUANTUM LIGHT

Next best: Hasiyna