12 runners

A sharp Listed sprint with a strong pace forecast and several habitual forward-goers engaged. Over 5f at Naas on good ground, tactical speed and the ability to travel strongly off a searching gallop are usually key. With multiple pace angles here, the race may set up well for stalkers and closers rather than pure trailblazers.

Draw bias is not especially pronounced at Naas over this trip in fields of this size, though pace positioning often matters more than stall location. The likely strong gallop should help horses proven at finishing late over 5f.

The key weighting factors in this race should be:

Proven Listed/Pattern sprint form

Ability to cope with a strong pace

Current sharpness and race fitness

Suitability to quick 5f turf conditions

Track speed and tactical positioning


Returning horses off long absences need market checking, particularly sprinters needing peak fitness first time up.


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Pace & Tactical Angles

Likely pace influences:

KEKE

IPANEMA QUEEN

GAZELLE D’OR

MISSION CENTRAL


Likely pace beneficiaries:

LIKEDBYMIKE

BLACK FORZA

KERDOS


Hold-up risks needing luck:

BLACK FORZA

LIKEDBYMIKE

KERDOS


A strongly-run race could expose weaker stayers late and favour those able to settle and finish.


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Runner-by-Runner Assessment

1. BLACK FORZA (USA) – 5/10

Progressive marker: P

Talented at his best and a former Group 2 Richmond Stakes winner, but his 2025 campaign lacked consistency and he returns from 205 days off. Timeform specifically notes the likely pace setup may help him, and he is one likely to be delivered late. However, this is a demanding comeback assignment against race-fit rivals. Dangerous if retaining old ability but fitness and temperament under pressure are concerns.


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2. KEKE – 8/10

Progressive marker: p

Thriving older sprinter who arrives in peak form after a decisive course handicap success over nearly 6f here. Drop back to 5f should not inconvenience him given his tactical speed. Proven on track and ground, race-fit, and likely to get a prominent stalking trip. One of the most solid profiles in the field.

Trainer Edward Lynam has long excelled with Irish sprinters.


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3. KERDOS – 6/10

Useful sprinter at his peak and shaped better than result when sixth in the corresponding Naas Listed race last time. Former Temple Stakes winner but current yard has yet to fully revive him. Strong pace helps and he handles conditions, though he may lack the finishing edge of the principals.


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4. MOSS TUCKER – 4/10

Dual Woodlands Stakes winner over this C&D in the past and clearly very well suited by Naas historically. However, he is now eight and looked rusty after a very long absence when well beaten here latest. Capable of improving second run back but difficult to strongly fancy against younger legs.

Market support would be notable.


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5. VALIANT FORCE (USA) – 3/10

Timeform notes the pace setup may suit, but his turf profile is notably weaker than his all-weather form. Well held by Keke here recently and still has something to prove on fast turf in this company. Likely to be finishing late without necessarily threatening.


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6. BILLIE BE QUICK – 2/10

Handicap winner last year but badly exposed at this level now. Recent runs suggest she is struggling for form and this Listed sprint looks too deep.


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7. GAZELLE D’OR – 3/10

Won three handicaps last season but Listed class appears beyond her on current evidence. Likely pace involvement could leave her vulnerable late.


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8. LIKEDBYMIKE – 8.5/10

Progressive marker: p

A filly in the form of her life and arguably still improving. Excellent second in the key trial race over C&D behind Mission Central and shaped as though another strongly-run 5f would suit ideally. Consistent this spring, tactically versatile, and proven under conditions.

Very solid contender with fewer questions than many rivals.


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9. MISSION CENTRAL – 9/10

Progressive marker: P

The standout profile. Already a Group 3 and valuable Ascot winner over 6f, then proved his effectiveness at 5f when winning the key Naas Listed race here last month. Strong traveller with tactical pace and Ryan Moore retained for Aidan O’Brien.

As a 3yo receiving weight from older sprinters, he remains potentially better than current marks. The strong pace should suit and he is proven on fast ground.

Aidan O’Brien has won this race twice in the last eight runnings.

The one to beat.


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10. SARAHMAE – 1/10

Useful handicapper but badly outclassed at this level on ratings and recent form.


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11. IPANEMA QUEEN – 6.5/10

Progressive marker: p

Dual Listed winner at Dundalk last year and can bounce back from her heavy-ground defeat at Cork. Better expected back on quicker ground. Likely pace angle and still relatively unexposed on turf sprinting. Interesting if settling into rhythm early.

One for market monitoring.


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12. LADY IMAN – 7/10

Progressive marker: P

High-class juvenile including Molecomb Stakes success. Her Flying Childers run came after bleeding, so there are legitimate excuses for the disappointing finish to last season. Returns from 247 days off in a deep sprint against hardened older horses.

Very talented but fitness and maturity under pressure are unknowns. Strong market support would increase confidence significantly.


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Strongest Contenders

MISSION CENTRAL

LIKEDBYMIKE

KEKE


Main Dangers

LADY IMAN

IPANEMA QUEEN


Interesting Outsiders

BLACK FORZA

KERDOS



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Timeform & Profile Notes

Strong pace expected to aid closers.

Mission Central already won the key prep race over C&D.

Likedbymike arrives on a clear upward trajectory.

Black Forza may trade bigger in-running due to hold-up style.

Lady Iman returns after a bleeding issue last season.

Moss Tucker is a former dual race winner but now aging.



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Private Tissue Estimate

Mission Central — 11/4

Likedbymike — 9/2

Keke — 5/1

Lady Iman — 7/1

Ipanema Queen — 10/1

Kerdos — 14/1

Black Forza — 16/1

Moss Tucker — 20/1

Valiant Force — 28/1

Gazelle D’Or — 40/1

Billie Be Quick — 66/1

Sarahmae — 100/1



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Smart Play

Win Bet

MISSION CENTRAL
The strongest blend of proven class, race fitness, tactical pace and progression. Already effective over this C&D and still open to further improvement as a 3yo sprinter.

Each-Way Saver

LIKEDBYMIKE
Reliable, improving, and ideally suited by the anticipated race shape. Strong chance of again finishing prominently if the leaders go too hard early.

Keke appeals as the solid proven older sprinter, while Lady Iman is the market wildcard returning from a long absence.