1.45 Coolmore Stud The Antarctic Irish EBF Maiden 7f
Market support may be the best guide for a field of 15 newcomers, although Ado McGuinness’ Snapper Rocks did win a barrier trial at Dundalk.
He’s from the first crop of high-class juvenile Threat, while his dam was stakes-placed as a two-year-old.
Aidan O’Brien won this with subsequent Group 1 winner Continuous in 2022 and the more precociously-bred of his two is also Ryan Moore’s choice, Officer.
Thrice is bred to improve with age and blinkers on debut isn’t encouraging, while 155,000gns buy Tribal Nation appears the favoured of Joseph O’Brien’s pair based on jockey bookings.
Ger Lyons and Juddmonte’s representative Storm Piece is notable for his sire Night Of Thunder, but none of his siblings won at two, while Andy Slattery’s Starspangledbanner colt Scott Key shouldn’t be dismissed.
SELECTION: OFFICER
Next best: Snapper Rocks
2.20 FBD Hotels And Resorts Castleknock Hotel Maiden 6f
Eddie Lynam has won this twice in the last four years and appears to have a strong chance of adding to his tally with Desert Power.
He was runner-up to the more experienced Mehmar last time out, with the winner now rated 90, while Yaxchilan caught the eye that day when three lengths behind.
Dermot Weld’s runner disappointed next time at Galway, but the Curragh should prove a more suitable track for an inexperienced horse.
Joe Murphy previously spoke highly of White Clover, placed over seven furlongs here and at Leopardstown, so perhaps this trip and the forecast rain will see her gain a deserved win.
Of the other promising types, No Knee Never should appreciate the drop in trip, while Red Hugh O’Donnell shapes like he needs the extra furlong here, and Pansy Poe will appreciate the expected rain.
Lady Fox was demoted to second on debut last July, but that form hasn’t worked out well and the five-year-old has been off the track for a year.
SELECTION: WHITE CLOVER
Next best: Desert Power
2.55 Neville O’Byrne Memorial Irish EBF Fillies & Mares Handicap 1m4f
Gangster Granny got a significant hike after her maiden win and it’s surprising that her rating hasn’t risen after two fine efforts in Racing League handicaps.
Keithen Kennedy’s 7lb claim adds to her appeal and dismisses any concern about her running two pounds out of the handicap.
Ameerat Jumaira produced a career-best performance when winning at Dundalk last time out, where the joint-trainer said she appreciated the track.
She may be back on turf, but the Curragh is a balanced track, and she remains on a workable mark.
SELECTION: GANGSTER GRANNY
Next best: Ameerat Jumaira
3.30 Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes (Group 2) 7f
A disappointing turnout of four for this Group 2, half of whom are trained by Aidan O’Brien, successful in eight of the last ten renewals. Either of Ballydoyle’s chances would be appropriate winners for the sponsor, with the unbeaten Henri Matisse the obvious choice.
The Strikin Viking backed up the form at Goodwood, as did Arizona Blaze when third in the Phoenix Stakes, though he was touched off on Thursday. Seven furlongs shouldn’t be a problem for him.
Stablemate Rock Of Cashel won a Galway maiden in good style, but this might be beyond him at this stage.
Scorthy Champ’s sole run puts him in the mix, his absence since May less of a concern given his yard’s form of late.
Joseph O’Brien’s charge had Hotazhell, who met traffic in running, four lengths behind him and it’s hard to know his subsequent experience is enough to reverse the form.
SELECTION: HENRI MATISSE
Next best: Scorthy Champ
4.05 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes (Group 2) 7f
Bedtime Story’s Leopardstown win was somewhat underwhelming considering the impressive nature of her Ascot success, but she still looks a cut above her rivals here, two of whom are maidens.
Exactly, Barnavara and Senna’s Girl chased her home in that order at Leopardstown and it’s hard to find a reason for any of them to reverse the placings today. Bubbling impressed at Galway last month, but this is a much tougher ask.
SELECTION: BEDTIME STORY
Next best: Exactly
4.40 Join Racing TV For Just 14 Euros Now Maiden 1m2f
A field of 23 runners makes this an open contest, with some muddling form for many of those with experience.
The Dermot Weld-trained Sacred Oath appears to boast the strongest form. Third over course and distance on debut, she may not have been suited by the trip and unique test of Galway last time out.
Joseph O’Brien’s Bard Of Avon ran just once as a juvenile, beaten eight and a half lengths in a Leopardstown maiden, but he was slowly into stride that day and finished a short-head in front of the now 95-rated Vestigia. The son of Galileo is bred to improve with time, too.
Ard Na Mara finished a promising fourth on debut, but his stable’s 68-day wait for a winner doesn’t encourage confidence.
SELECTION: BARD OF AVON
Next best: Sacred Oath
5.10 Donohue Marquees Handicap 1m2f
Puturhandstogether looks well-treated, given that Siege Of Troy chased him home over course and distance last time, and that filly is now rated 101.
That run was a step forward from his close second behind Tachos, though today’s ratings levels the playing field.
Solar Breeze should be in the mix if bouncing back to the form of her run behind Crystal Black here earlier in the season, and her young trainer is in good form of late, having recently registered his first Curragh winner.
SELECTION: PUTURHANDSTOGETHER
Next best: Solar Breeze
5.40 FBD Hotels And Resorts Saturday Series Handicap 5f
Ostraka has been disappointing since her debut win her last season, but has shown some form for her new stable behind progressive sprinters Bold Optimist and Kendall Roy. Firmer ground may have been a factor last time and today’s jockey booking adds to her appeal.
It’s interesting to see Merisi Diamond back with Joanna Morgan, for whom he impressed here in March, but a drop down to five furlongs is a question mark.
Handicap debutant Goldrush Kid, in front of subsequent stakes performer Ojw Legacy on his second start, should improve from his seasonal reappearance at Sligo in May.
SELECTION: OSTRAKA
Next best: Goldrush Kid