There are several Grade Two National Hunt races which are held at Naas, with the Slaney Novice Hurdle, Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase and the Johnstown Novice Hurdle among them, while there’s also a Grade Three encounter in the form of the Blue Wind Stakes.
Arkle is probably the most famous horse to have graced Naas racecourse, with this runner having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966.
Racing Starts at Naas in January
The National Hunt season is in full flow when Naas hosts a January meeting and this one is probably the most prestigious of all. The Slaney Novice Hurdle is a Grade 2 encounter which is run over a distance of two miles and four furlongs.
It’s a race which has been created for horses over the age of four, with the encounter being in operation since 1983 and trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have recently dominated with winners such as Death Duty, Next Destination and Battleoverdoyen.
There is also the Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase and Limestone Lad Hurdle which are run at the January meeting, with these being Grade Three encounters which are run over three miles and two miles and three furlongs respectively.
February at Naas Boasts Some Big Meetings
The Newlands Chase takes place in February, with this being a Grade 2 encounter and this race was first born in 1988, with Flying Ferret being the inaugural winner. More recently Doctor Phoenix and Cadmium have won for Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins respectively.
The Johnstown Novice Hurdle is also a high-profile encounter, with Barry Geraghty and Charlie Swan being the jockeys who have enjoyed the most success in this race. Willie Mullins has won the encounter four times as a trainer, with Gordon Elliott landing the spoils on the previous two occasions with Hardline and Chosen Mate.
Bet on Several Other Profile Meetings
In March, there’s another meeting at Naas Racecourse and the most popular race is the Grade Three Kilcock Novice Chase, while May hosts the Blue Wind Stakes which is a Flat encounter and that’s also a Group Three battle.
There’s another Flat meeting in June at Naas Racecourse, with the Fillies’ Sprint Stakes running over six furlongs and this is a Listed race. During either October or November, there is the Poplar Square Chase and that is followed by the Fishery Lane Hurdle in December.