IT’S HIGH NOONE TIME FOR O’BRIEN

Flat racing returns to Naas tomorrow, with the Irish Racing Writers Cliff Noone Memorial Madrid Handicap one of the feature races.

the seven furlong contest was won by the aidan O’brien-trained Paddington on his path to a memorable season with multiple Group 1 success.

O’brien (below) will be represented by top weight Military, who won his maiden at Naas last season before being placed in Group 3 company after that.

Rivals

Opposition will come from 11 rivals, with O’brien’s two sons saddling runners.

Joseph O’brien will saddle Down Royal maiden winner Sluice, while Gavin Ryan will once again partner leopard stown winner Guilden stern for Donnacha O’brien.

Booked

trainer Ger lyons saddles My Mate alfie and Duplantis, while Jessica Harrington has Naas winner Glamorously and Shane Foley booked to ride Heavenly Being.

the Michael Mulvanytrained Bid For Chester was a winner at Navan last season and also ran fine races at Naas in both the €100,000 Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge and the €120,000 Irish EBF auction Series Final Race where he finished fifth and third behind King Cuan on both occasions.

“It’s his first run of the season but he has got plenty of work done and we are hoping for a good run,” Mulvany said.

the Jack Davisontrained take Me to Church has the benefit of a victory under his belt already this year having won at Dundalk last month.

the Jim Bolger-trained Neo Smart was a winner at the louth venue in November last year.

the Josh Halley-trained Gentileschi and Signor Ferrari trained by John Feane complete a competitive line-up.