Grand National clues at Naas today?

There could well be some clues to next month´s Grand National at today´s Naas meeting in Ireland, most obviously in the Leinster National over 3 miles at 17.4 CET. Ruby Walsh rides mainly for champion trainers Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins these days, but it is always significant when he teams up with his father Ted and their hope Southern Vic must have a leading chance here. The two top weights Chelsea Harbour (Tom Mullins/ Davy Russell) and Preists Leap (Thomas O´Leary/ PT Enright) are also Aintree-bound, provided they run well enough today. The most interesting runner in the handicap hurdle at 17.10 is last year´s winner King Johns Castle (Arthur Moore/ Davy Russell), who has not been seen out since finishing second in the Grand National 11 months ago. He will probably need the race today, but a forward performance will be necessary if he is to emulare his Aintree form. Ruby Walsh rides likely outsider Mullach Na Si for Willie Mullins here, but the combination can earli er strike twice with Sports Line in the maiden hurdle at 16.10 and top-weight Financial Reward in the novice chase at 16.40.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tooman Lane - Bootlegger - Return To Glory
2. Race: Sports Line - Corskeagh Royale - Fair Ina
3. Race: Financial Reward - Top Of The Rock - Travino
4. Race: Prudent Honour - Robin Du Bois - Baily View
5. Race: Florida Express - Chelsea Harbour - Preists Leap
6. Race: Ten Fires - Danderry - Blazing Beacon
7. Race: Carra Coranna - Galactic Warrior - Logan`S Manor