Festival pointers will be on offer at bumper meeting this Saturday

Stable companions Dinoblue and last year’s winner Allegorie De Vassy head the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas this Saturday, on a card that is likely to provide racegoers with strong pointers to some major races this spring. 

Grade 1 winner Dinoblue is the mount of JP McManus’ retained jockey Mark Walsh while Paul Townend will once again be onboard Allegorie De Vassy with both horses likely to have the Cheltenham Festival on their agenda after this weekend. 

The field is completed by the Tom Gibney-trained Must Be Obeyed who has previously been placed in Grade 2 company. 

While champion trainer Willie Mullins provides the two leading contenders in the feature race of the day, Gordon Elliott provides two of the most intriguing entries on the card. 

The first on a seven-race card is due off at 1.20pm and further details can be found on naasracecourse.com.