1:25 Naas Tips

Karbau won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last January by sixteen lengths on heavy going before running in three Grade 1 hurdles, finishing in 3rd place in the last two races. Now, back on heavy going, he should win again if fit and ready for his return.

8-runner field, so great for each-way betting. His four main rivals may well end up better than him, but all have to contend with long layoffs of between nine months and a year. You'd have to say they'd be unlikely to be 100% 'match fit' for this, but our fella is. The other three rivals are a fair bit lower in the rating; two are massive outsiders. Race-fit, improving, and showing solid form this year, it's hard to see him out of the frame, and a win is very much within his capabilities if the others need the run.

He is skilled and talented, capable of racing over 2m, yet his career has been inconsistent due to various setbacks. Previously trained by Willie Mullins, he demonstrated exceptional talent in novice hurdles, highlighted by a commanding 8-length maiden hurdle victory at Naas in 2022. He has established his prowess at this distance, winning on his hurdles debut and securing 4th place in the prestigious Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2022. Recently he has transitioned to the Nash Stable. He faced defeat in a Punchestown hurdle in late 2025, indicating that he must regain his former peak performance. This impressive 9-year-old has competed at a high level over this trip but tends to require time to shake off the rust. Therefore, considering an each-way bet at generous odds of 125/1 after a significant absence could be a wise choice.