Piranesi has clear chance

With the plethora of eight race marathons this season, Naas has an almost undernourished look to it this evening, but the one constant of the term has been the excellence of John Murtagh's riding and that can continue with Piranesi in the mile maiden. The leading jockey again teams up with Declan Gillespie's Grand Lodge colt and will be hoping for a clearer run than he experienced at Gowran earlier in the month.

Then, Piranesi's run up the inner was blocked at the furlong pole and Murtagh eased him when his chance had gone in the race won by Polaire.

One of tonight's opponents, Tribal, finished three and a half lengths in front on that occasion, but Piranesi can reverse that form.

Jim Bolger's Union Project was beaten a neck by Family Favourite at Killarney last week, with Raghdan nine lengths further back. He and the Ballydoyle newcomer, Urban Ocean, a son of the Arc winner, Urban Sea, could be the main dangers to Piranesi. The usually dominant Aidan O'Brien team have been relatively quiet recently, but the first two races look to be within their grasp.

Susan Kelapa didn't do much on her only run this season at Gowran but was a winner at Dundalk last season, in addition to being placed in a stakes race and finishing fifth to Alborada in the Park Stakes. A return to that sort of form gives the daughter of St Jovite a major chance in the apprentice race.

Mempari can break her duck at the seventh attempt in the five-furlong maiden. It's a frustrating stretch for a filly with the ability to run sixth to Tarascon in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, a stretch that should end now.

The form of Night Scent's second to Rose Petal has been boosted significantly recently, and the Kevin Prendergast-trained three-year-old may take the mile handicap; while Open Cry will be very hard to beat in the bumper.

Plans for the new £11 million Baileys Centre were formally introduced at Leopardstown yesterday. Developed by a partnership of Baileys, Leopardstown Race Club and Blarney Woollen Mills, the centre will feature a 1,200 seat race pavilion and conference centre.

Building on the centre has begun and is set to open next March. An estimated 100,000 visitors are expected in the first year.