Kevin Blake

2.10 FORAN EQUINE IRISH EBF AUCTION MAIDEN 6F

An interesting opener and Dermot Weld may have the winner in the shape of Yulong Gold Fairy. The daughter of Mount Nelson only cost €8,000 as a yearling which is why she has such a light weight in this, but she already looks a bargain based on her promising fourth to Alpha Centauri on her debut at Naas. She is entitled to improve from that and must have a big chance. The main danger to her may come from the Michael Grassick-trained Verhoyen, with the son of Piccolo having made an encouraging debut when third to Moonlight Boy at Naas in March.

Selection: YULONG GOLD FAIRY

Next best: Verhoyen

2.45 CURRAGH ‘WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE’ RACE 6F

Plenty of big pedigrees are on show here and while the John Nicholson-trained Another Batt may not have a page to match his rivals, he might well prove to be the fastest on this day. The son of Windsor Knot shaped with plenty of promise when fifth to Romanised in a maiden at Navan that looked high quality at the time and has already been working out well. He seems sure to improve from that and should run a big race. Of the newcomers, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Murillo catches the eye, being a half-brother to Nawwaar who realised $500,000 as a foal. Market support for him will be significant.

Selection: ANOTHER BATT

Next best: Murillo

3.20 PLUSVITAL RACING GENEPAK HANDICAP 6F

This is very competitive and preference is given to the Joseph O’Brien-trained Art Nouvelle. The daughter of Art Connoisseur has been progressing steadily and ran her best race yet when a length second to the progressive Peticoatgovernment at Cork last time. She has only been raised 1lb for that and a repeat of it will see her go close in this. Of the less exposed runners, the Jim Bolger-trained Treaty Of Vienna impressed when winning a maiden at Cork last time and warrants respect on his handicap debut.

Selection: ART NOUVELLE

Next best: Treaty Of Vienna

3.55 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BLUE WIND STAKES (GROUP 3) 1M 2F

This has attracted a strong group of fillies and the pick of them looks to be the Tony Martin-trained Laganore. The five-year-old has progressed into a high-class performer in the last year, winning a listed race at Newmarket in October and making a fine return to action when third to Somehow in a listed race at Gowran Park in April. She sets the standard and, with conditions to suit, she will be tough to beat. The Jim Bolger-trained Turret Rocks was well behind the selection at Gowran Park last time, but is worth a chance to bounce back to form on this sounder surface.

Selection: LAGANORE

Next best: Turret Rocks

4.30 WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE (C & G) MAIDEN 1M 2F

Michael O’Callaghan’s string are starting to hit form and he looks to have strong prospects of winning this contest with Night Of Glory. The son of Sea The Stars made a highly-promising debut at Navan in April, flying home to finish a neck second to Chronicles. He seems sure to improve from that and is likely to run very well. Of the newcomers, one that leaps off the page based on pedigree is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Wisconsin, being by the world-class Japanese sire Deep Impact and out of the top-class racemare Peeping Fawn.

Selection: NIGHT OF GLORY

Next best: Wisconsin

5.05 BUY CURRAGH TICKETS ONLINE APP HANDICAP 7F

This is fiercely competitive and a chance is taken on the Johnny Levins-trained Complicit. The six-year-old is well handicapped based on his old form and has been shaping well without winning of late. This course and distance should suit and another good effort should be forthcoming. A solid alternative is his stable mate Bainne, with the seven-year-old having been running well in similar contests of late.

Selection: COMPLICIT

Next best: Bainne

5.40 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF (FILLIES) MAIDEN 1M

Jessica Harrington continues in tremendous form and she looks to have a big chance in this contest with Madame Cherie. The daughter of First Samurai made a very promising debut when second to Hydrangea at the Curragh back in August and can easily be forgiven her below-form effort when upped to Group 3 class in her only other start last season. If she can build on her debut promise, she will be very tough to beat. The Fozzy Stack-trained Breeze shaped with promise on her debut at Dundalk and could well improve enough to make a bold bid.

Selection: MADAME CHERIE

Next best: Breeze