4.20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden 1m

Ger Lyons won maidens with two stable switchers on debut for the Glenburnie team at Dundalk last week, and Jorge Alvares could be able to do the same despite not quite being best treated at the weights. Bought for 38,000gns out of the Kevin Ryan yard, the Cotai Glory gelding has raced over six furlongs mostly (tried seven furlongs when last seen in September) so it will be fascinating to see if stepping up to a mile will work the oracle.

Chester Nimitz is rated 3lb higher than the selection and has the benefit of Jamie Powell’s 3lb claim, so officially being 6lb well in should see him bang there. He’s also got the benefit of a recent run, having finished fourth at the Curragh on the opening day of the season, though he doesn’t set an insurmountable standard.

SELECTION: JORGE ALVARES

Next best: Chester Nimitz

4.50 Veterinary Clinic Ratoath Handicap 1m

A tricky little three-year-old handicap in which a tentative vote goes to Johnny Murtagh’s handicap debutante Aherla Rock. The lightly-raced filly is taking a drop in class from her reappearance eighth in a 20-runner fillies’ maiden at the Curragh when beaten 10 lengths. The runner-up from that maiden had little luck in running when a close enough fifth in Group 3 company since, while the fourth was just touched off in a Gowran maiden this week. An opening mark of 70 might be on the high side for what she’s achieved, but she has a chance of being better than that on paper given she’s closely related to 105-rated sprinter King Of Bavaria.

Kilgharrahs Love hinted at winning potential last season and could be a player if able to cope with better ground than she fared well on last season. Weegeebear, a Dundalk claimer winner over seven furlongs last time, is an unknown at this trip but still warrants obvious respect on debut for Ado McGuinness.

SELECTION: AHERLA ROCK

Next best: Kilgharrahs Love

5.20 Mac Tar Ltd. Apprentice Handicap 1m

He needs things to fall right for him but Rockbury Lad comes here with fitness on his side after a Dundalk campaign, can be competitive off his mark and hails from a stable among the winners lately, so has enough in his favour to run a big race. The ground should be right up his street and he’s probably operating at close to his best trip.

Vierson and Prince Of Eyeries each won weak maidens at Dundalk two starts ago and could be suited to the demands of a contest like this if able to take a step forward. Pandion Power was sent off favourite for a competitive handicap at the Curragh on the first day of the season, only to drop away. Perhaps he needs softer ground but this is a weaker event that last time.

SELECTION: ROCKBURY LAD

Next best: Vierson

5.55 Awardsandgifts.ie Handicap 5f

Sam’s Xpress needs to show more than he has recently at Dundalk, but those runs will leave him sharp for this return to the turf and he’s only 2lb higher than his last win in November. He’s yet to win on the grass but has run well on both of his appearances at this track.

Eric Lock is declared to run on Friday night at Dundalk so whether he’ll turn out quickly, depending on how he fares on the all-weather, will be worth paying attention to. His recent second at Naas under a 10lb claimer indicated he’s in a good place at present. She’s Smart would probably get the nod if she wasn’t having to defy an absence of 224 days.

SELECTION: SAM’S XPRESS

Next best: Eric Lock

6.25 His Majesty’s Cup Handicap 5f

As it turned out, Rathbranchurch may have ended up making his challenge on the less-favoured part of the track last time at Naas when sent off at 4/1 in seventh behind a ridiculously easy winner. Conditions will be much quicker here but he’s proven to be ground-versatile, has won over the course and distance before and 6lb lower than his last win at this venue. He can make another bold bid for Mick Mulvany.

The Poacher Daly won his maiden here two starts ago in October and has since switched from Joseph O’Brien to Jack Davison. The market is worth a watch as to how ready he might be after 164 days on his stable bow - he’s capable of having a say. Cuban Grey won easily when last seen at Dundalk in January and has a 9lb higher mark to cope with now back on turf, while Hero Of The Hour is back down to attractive territory with the handicapper if able to rediscover his best form from last year.

SELECTION: RATHBRANCHURCH

Next best: The Poacher Daly

6.55 Good Enuf To Eat Catering Handicap 1m 4f

The fact he hasn’t been seen since October isn’t ideal but Rauzan makes appeal as a potentially well-handicapped flat type, on the basis of how he has improved over hurdles for Eoin Doyle in the last year. Now up to a mark of 127 over flights, a rating of 60 on the level looks attractive, especially with Sam Coen claiming another 7lb off in a weak race.

Mogwli’s best form is over a good deal shorter, and stamina is a clear question mark, though he has won around here twice before and didn’t shape badly in the circumstances on his comeback at Leopardstown last week. He could run well at a decent price. Eastern Wind is in a similar boat trip-wise, while still being respected.

SELECTION: RAUZAN

Next best: Mogwli

7.25 David McKeown A1 Generators Maiden 1m 4f

This doesn’t look the deepest of maidens and it could be a chance for Toto Too to notch his first win since this time last year. He’ll need to step forward from what he showed last time at Dundalk when third, but that was his first flat appearance - and the first time we’d seen him in 121 days after a stable switch. He has form on decent ground too. So Scottish is another best known as a National Hunt campaigner and perhaps he’ll be of greater interest in time, while Black Heather could turn out quickly after a maiden hurdle victory at Naas on Thursday. Luker’s Tipple ran creditably when mid-field in the Fred Winter last time. Mick Collins returns in a hood and tongue-tie combination after a 174-day break, and has a reasonably decent flat rating of 79.

SELECTION: TOTO TOO

Next best: Black Heather