Kevin Blake

1.40 MALLOW MAIDEN 1M 100YDS

An interesting maiden to open the card and preference is given to the Joe Murphy-trained Born To Play. The son of Born To Sea made an encouraging start to his career when a never-nearer fourth to the exciting Irishcorrespondent in a mile maiden at Leopardstown last weekend. He seems sure to improve from that experience and sets the standard in this contest. Of the newcomers, the Mick Halford-trained Haroon catches the eye being by a top stallion out of a Group 3 winner.

Selection: BORN TO PLAY

Next best: Haroon

2.10 MOST STYLISH EASTER SUNDAY HANDICAP 1M 100YDS

Patrick Prendergast has already been amongst the winners this season and he might have the answer to this puzzle in the shape of Hailstone. The son of Dream Ahead made a fine return to the turf when second to the progressive Gino Severini in the Madrid Handicap at Naas and a repeat of that effort will put him in the mix in this contest. The pick of his rivals could well be the Harry Rogers-trained Boom Or Bush, with the son of Bushranger having shaped nicely on his return to action over this course and distance earlier this month.

Selection: HAILSTONE

Next best: Boom Or Bush

2.45 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF NOBLESSE STAKES (LISTED) 1M 4F

The Dermot Weld-trained Zhukova may have a Group 3 penalty to carry on her return to action, but even considering that, she looks well ahead of her rivals. The well-bred five-year-old progressed very well last season to win a listed race and two Group 3 contests, shaping as if she could make the breakthrough at Group 1 level.

That is likely to be her main aim this season and Weld has found a fine opportunity for her to make a winning return to action here. The most interesting alternative to her is perhaps the John Oxx-trained Red Stars, with the four-year-old having won a Listed race at Roscommon in July.

Selection: ZHUKOVA

Next best: Red Stars

3.20 BLACKWATER MAIDEN 1M 2F

Aidan O’Brien may hold the key to this contest and the one that makes the most appeal is Inca Gold. The son of Galileo made a promising debut when second to Alexios Komnenos at the Curragh in July and, while he disappointed when sent off favourite on his return to action at Naas last month, the soft-to-heavy ground may well have been to blame for that. It wouldn’t surprise to see him bounce back with a big performance on this less testing surface.

The best of the rest might prove to be the Dermot Weld-trained Katouna, with the three-year-old having made a promising debut at Dundalk in February.

Selection: INCA GOLD

Next best: Katouna

3.55 BUY ONLINE AT CORKRACECOURSE.IE HANDICAP (45-75) 1M 2F

Really competitive fare and a chance is taken on the Jim Bolger-trained Pirolo. The son of Teofilo broke his maiden in a handicap at Navan in May and hasn’t been seen since June. He has been gelded since then and starts the campaign off a fair mark, so it wouldn’t surprise if he rewards his trainer’s perseverance with him by making a winning return to action.

The most attractive alternative to him could be the John Oxx-trained Nonetheless, with the four-year-old having shaped well on her return to action at Leopardstown last week.

Selection: PIROLO

Next best: Nonetheless

4.25 CORK HANDICAP 1M 2F

Another competitive handicap and Dermot Weld may have the answer in the shape of Sikandarabad. The son of Dr Fong was sent off favourite for the Irish Lincoln at Naas, but proved disappointing on ground that may have been too soft for him. This less testing ground and longer trip could well combine to see him run a very big race. Another one with race fitness on her side is the Jim Bolger-trained Ringside Humour and the daughter of Teofilo seems sure to run a solid race.

Selection: SIKANDARABAD

Next best: Ringside Humour

5.00 CORKRACECOURSE.IE HANDICAP (45-65) 7F

Perhaps the most difficult handicap of all on the card and marginal preference is given to the Tim Doyle-trained Punches Pious.

The eight-year-old is an infrequent winner, but made a promising return to action when a close second at Tipperary earlier this week and he won’t need to show much more than that to go very close in this. Of his rivals, the John Joe Walsh-trained Apache Gold has a good record at this track and could make a bold bid on his return from a break.

Selection: PUNCHES PIOUS

Next best: Apache Gold