1.50 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES MAIDEN 6F
Lethal Promise made a bright start to her career at this track a fortnight ago when finishing a 2¼l second to Dandys Ocean. On that occasion the Invincible Spirit filly caught the eye in finishing out her race very nicely and she looks certain to come on for that run. If she can cope with this much quicker ground, she will go close.
Romme looked as though she would progress nicely for her debut run at Dundalk in late March when she was beaten a neck by Jungle Jane. She too can mount a significant challenge. Aidan O’Brien’s trio warrant the utmost respect and maybe with the benefit of run and switching to fast ground Gossamer Wings could do best.
Selection: LETHAL PROMISE
Next best: Romme
2.25 FBD HOTELS & RESORTS HANDICAP 6F
A 4lb-rise for winning at Naas earlier this month may not be enough to prevent Blairmayne from winning again.
The five-year-old will be just as effective stepping up to this trip and the quicker ground is of no concern for him either. In addition, efforts such as his third to Ice Age in a premier handicap at this track last September would suggest that he can develop into a force in quality handicaps this summer.
The top-weight, Zorion, was a smooth winner of a 7f handicap at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago. He has never run at this trip, and he is 7lbs higher as a result of that recent success, but he shapes as though he will be quite comfortable coming back to this distance.
Selection: BLAIRMAYNE
Next best: Zorion
3.00 COLD MOVE IRISH EBF MARBLE HILL STAKES (LISTED) 6F
Fairyland is a hopeful choice in a race where her trainer has an especially strong hand. This daughter of Kodiac made a bright start to her career with victory in a 6f maiden at Naas earlier this month. The third from that race has since been beaten but this filly can be relied upon to progress substantially from that initial outing and the switch to quick ground is also a major positive for her.
She can see off stablemate Van Beethoven who was a decisive 3½l winner of a 6f conditions race at Naas earlier this month. He will relish the switch to quick ground.
Selection: FAIRYLAND
Next best: Van Beethoven
3.35 WEATHERBYS IRELAND GREENLANDS STAKES (GROUP 2) 6F
This looks a good opportunity for Tasleet to become the latest English-trained winner of this race. The Showcasing five-year-old won last season’s Duke Of York Stakes and filled the runner-up spot in three Group 1 contests, notably when losing out by only a neck to The Tin Man at Royal Ascot.
Tasleet has shown good form on very soft ground but his Ascot effort indicated that he is equally at home on a sound surface.
Brando looks an obvious threat. He won a Newmarket Group 3 on his return to action last month and the chased home the top-class Harry Angel in last week’s Duke Of York Stakes. Merchant Navy, a Group 1 winner in his native Australia, is a fascinating runner on his Irish debut.
Selection: TASLEET
Next best: Brando
4.45 LANWADES STUD STAKES (GROUP 2) 1M
Goldrush can retain her unbeaten record. This daughter of Frankel made a big impression in just three starts last autumn when she won a 1m maiden at Navan before then notching up a pair of listed victories at Dundalk. This race demands more but there is little doubt that this filly has further room for progression and conditions look ideal for her to make it four wins from as many starts.
Hydrangea is likely to need this run but this top-class filly should still mount a strong challenge. She was a dual Group 1 winner last season, over 1m and 1m4f, and her form is by far the strongest in the line up.
Selection: GOLDRUSH
Next best: Hydrangea
5.20 CURRAGH ‘WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE’ SPRING FILLIES HANDICAP 1M
Her first two runs have marked her out as a filly of some promise and Terzetto can make her first venture into handicaps a winning one. This daughter of Iffraaj ran a fine race on her debut to chase home the impressive Could It Be Love in a 7f Dundalk maiden last month and she returned to that venue several weeks to register a commanding success over Rionach. She might be one that goes on to hold her own at a higher level.
She is preferred to Wisdom Mind who won her maiden over this course and distance a fortnight ago.
The form of that maiden victory makes for good reading as the runner-up, Athena, has since been placed at listed level while the third-placed Most Gifted won at Cork last week.
Selection: TERZETTO
Next best: Wisdom Mind
5.55 CURRAGH ‘WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE’ HANDICAP 1M
Raphael has yet to win and he hasn’t run since last August but he doesn’t look badly treated on some of his efforts last term and it wouldn’t come as any surprise if he were to carry the day. On his final start last season Kevin Prendergast’s charge was a close fourth in a Curragh nursery won by Warm The Voice.
Medal Of Honour and Bond Street finished in front of him that day but there wasn’t all that much between them then and Raphael is now slightly better off at the weights.
Bond Street won a Dundalk maiden last season on his penultimate start and followed up with a second to Hand On Heart in a soft ground conditions race at this track. He should be closely involved.
Selection: RAPHAEL
Next best: Bond Street