Ruby Walsh: A rovin’ I’ll go for this Pairofbrowneyes on Sunday at Naas

Naas 14:10

Team Mullins has Defy De Mee and Face The Facts in this one, with Katie O’Farrell and Liam Gilligan on board, respectively. Defy De Mee’s Fairyhouse run when he was second to Lone Wolf was a good enough run and if he can reproduce that he’ll be bang there.

Likewise, if Face The Facts can produce the form of his first run in Naas, he’ll have a shot. That said, both of them have had a run since that they have to leave behind.

I’d have a slight preference for Face The Facts.

Naas 14:40

It feels like it’s been a thousand days since we saw Chacun Pour Soi, and he probably wants a bit further in trip than 2m. But he has to start somewhere. He’s a great jumper and hopefully he can build on this.

Naas 15:15

Mister Blue Sky had a bit of a setback after winning at Wexford in October and we ran out of time to get him prepared for Cheltenham.

He’ll improve for this run but he needs the run if he’s to be ready to go for the Easter period and the Punchestown Festival.

Naas 15:45

Both Robin Des Foret and Camelia De Cotte have struggled to beat Kaiser Black. Camelia has done really well against the mares but had trouble when she went in with the geldings in Tipperary, finishing behind Le Richebourg there in October. Based on that form, Robin Des Foret has the beating of her, but at the moment Camelia has a huge fitness edge between those two, which might make your preference for her.

But Kaiser Black will be hard to beat.

Naas 16:20

Sayar was a good novice but has had plenty of problems and made a terrible mistake in Leopardstown in February at the second hurdle.

He did well to recover from that but never got into the race from there. We should see a much better run from him on Sunday.

Naas 16:50 – Leinster National

Pairofbrowneyes has to finish in the first four to qualify for the English National, and should have improved from his two runs in the Paddy Power Steeple Chase and the Thyestes. His finishing position was better than it looked in the Thyestes and he’s in good order at home – he’s definitely the pick of Willie’s horses here.

Isleofhopendreams is following a similar path to last year. He pulled up on his first two starts last year as well, before running into three second-places. He seems to be in better form but I’m not sure if he has a lot in hand.

Bellow Mome will have improved a lot from his first run after a very long absence, and with 10-3 on his back he could run a nice race.

Naas 17:20

Willie has nothing in this one but Gypsy Island, back after getting beaten over hurdles, will be hard to dislodge. She’ll be hard to beat here.