Kevin Blake

1:15 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF (C&G) MAIDEN 7F

A competitive and interesting start to proceedings and Johnny Murtagh might have the answer in the shape of True Valour. The son of Kodiac shaped well in all three of his starts last season, most notably when beaten just a short-head by Lancaster Bomber at Leopardstown in August. That form was given plenty of boosts by the subsequent exploits of the winner who went on to finish second in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Murtagh appears to have his team in good shape and a bold effort can be expected from him on his return to action. The biggest danger to him could well come from the Andy Slattery-trained Comhghairdeas, with the son of Acclamation having established a solid level of form in similar races last season.

Selection: TRUE VALOUR

Next best: Comhghairdeas

1:45 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF (FILLIES) MAIDEN 7F

Another intriguing maiden and a chance is taken on a likely improver in the shape of the Joe Murphy-trained Looking Good Carol. The daughter of Roderic O’Connor made a promising debut at Tipperary earlier this month, running green on her way to finishing a never-nearer third to Tobacco Bay. She is entitled to improve quite a bit from that and is likely to run a big race.

The best alternative to the selection might well be the Johnny Murtagh-trained Camiyra, with the daughter of Henrythenavigator having made a fine return to action when second to Sorelle Delle Rose at Naas earlier this month.

Selection: LOOKING GOOD CAROL

Next best: Camiyra

2:15 FAMILY FUN DAY MAY 21ST MAIDEN 1M

This is a maiden that lacks depth and it offers a fine opportunity for the Dermot Weld-trained Aasheq to make a winning seasonal reappearance. The four-year-old had a big reputation prior to finishing second to US Army Ranger on his racecourse debut at the Curragh last April, but his two subsequent runs were disappointing. While he has been absent since May, this represents a fine chance for him to get his career back on track.

The biggest danger to him may well be the Mick Halford-trained Surrounding, with the daughter of Lilbourne Lad having made an encouraging debut when second to Saafarr at Dundalk earlier this month.

Selection: AASHEQ

Next best: Surrounding

2:50 JACKIE CHAN ALLSTARS PLAY JUNE 17TH HANDICAP 1M

Competitive fare and the one that makes the most appeal is the Fozzy Stack-trained Balcony. The daughter of Fastnet Rock won a maiden at Navan in September and acquitted herself well in a handicap over this course and distance in her only subsequent start last season. She was fancied to make a winning reappearance at Cork earlier this month, but got bogged down in the heavy ground and is likely to put up a better show on this surface.

Of the rest, the Pat Martin-trained Adieux warrants respect based on the promise of her return to action at Leopardstown earlier this month.

Selection: BALCONY

Next best: Adieux

3:25 4 OF US PLAY LIVE JUNE 23RD HANDICAP 1M 3F 70YDS

This is perhaps the least competitive handicap on the card and the Johnny Murtagh-trained Sister Blandina is given the nod to prevail. The daughter of Mastercraftsman has been progressing well for the last year and she ran well enough when second to Aared on her seasonal reappearance at Navan to suggest that she isn’t finished improving yet.

She is likely to make a bold bid in conditions that will suit. One that doesn’t have the benefit of a recent run is the Mick Halford-trained Shadagann, but he has slipped to an attractive mark and market support for him on his return to action would be interesting.

Selection: SISTER BLANDINA

Next best: Shadagann

4.00 MICHAEL ENGLISH PLAYS LIVE JULY 27TH HANDICAP (45-75) 1M 3F 70YDS

No shortage of potential improvers take their chance here and preference is given to the Jessica Harrington-trained Tilly’s Chilli. The daughter of Excelebration ran an encouraging race in her second start in a handicap at Leopardstown last time, finishing third to Steelyeyed.

This longer trip should suit and an even bolder effort can be expected from her in this contest. One that finished behind the selection at Leopardstown but is open to improvement is the Jim Bolger-trained Level Of Intensity.

Selection: TILLY’S CHILLI

Next best: Level Of Intensity

4:35 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.LIMERICKRACES.IE HANDICAP (45-65) 1M 3F 70YDS (DIV I)

A tricky contest to bring down the curtain on proceedings and a chance is taken on the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Universal Focus. The four-year-old is still waiting for his first career win, but he has shown enough to suggest he can win one and is likely to be all the sharper after his recent return to action at Leopardstown.

Conditions will suit and it wouldn’t surprise to see him go close under his promising apprentice. A solid alternative to the selection is the Jim Bolger-trained Locus Standi, with the son of Lawman having already won twice this season.

Selection: UNIVERSAL FOCUS

Next best: Locus Standi

4:35 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.LIMERICKRACES.IE HANDICAP (45-65) 1M 3F 70YDS (DIV II)

This is the weaker of the two divisions of this race and a chance is taken on the Charles Byrnes-trained Give Battle.

The five-year-old has only been hinting at promise over hurdles since joining Byrnes, but he appeals as being well handicapped on the flat and market support for him would be very interesting. Of the remainder, Bomber Jackson has dropped to a fair mark and should acquit himself well.

Selection: GIVE BATTLE

Next best: Bomber Jackson