CHALLENGE NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT

NAAS PREVIEW

MAKE a Challenge should make a successful return to domestic action in the listed Sole Power Stakes in Naas today.

Last season’s stable star, for trainer Denis Hogan, will attempt to resume where he left off, when he registered no less than five successes, which saw his official rating rocket from 73 to 112.

Successful twice at the Galway festival, he won a couple of Curragh handicaps, a hugely impressive win in the Joe Mcgrath and then a similar performance in the listed Waterford Testimonial.

Connections took a bold step when supplementing Make A Challenge to the

Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint just six days later and, having travelled as strongly as ever, he faded to finish fifth behind Donjuan Triumphant, beaten less than three lengths.

Helped by some rain in the ground, Make A Challenge (above) must concede weight to his seven rivals but he’s a confident choice to beat Southern Horse.

The two listed sprints come at the end of the card, to facilitate live coverage on RTE2.

And, while the Plusvital Polonia Stakes looks ultra-competitive, I’ll take a chance with Nurse Barbara, whose recent run in the Committed here can be ignored as her saddle slipped leaving the stalls.

Pipped at Leopardstown last September, she was considered good enough to contest the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket last autumn and, rated 101, might make amends for her recent blip.

Punita Arora, winner of the Committed, has obvious claims and is rated 1lb. superior to the selection while Precious Moments (third), Unforgetable (fourth) and Tango (favourite and tenth) come here having contested the listed trial, won by Love Locket, at Leopardstown.

And You’resobeautiful should figure prominently having won her maiden at Navan last week.