1.05 Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden 7f
A half-brother to a Group 3-winning juvenile, Expanding holds plenty of nice entries. The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Wootton Bassett should appreciate starting off over seven furlongs, given that his older sibling made a winning debut over the trip.
Truth Be Told has the advantage of previous experience, having finished fourth on both runs to date. Dermot Weld’s colt was close up on his introduction at Naas in July, but failed to back that up when a beaten favourite at Galway subsequently.
SELECTION: EXPANDING
Next best: Truth Be Told
1.40 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden 7f
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Giselle can go one better than when runner-up on debut at Leopardstown in June. The fact the Frankel filly was sent off odds-on to beat a stablemate, who subsequently won at listed and group level, suggests that she must have been working well at home.
Jessica Harrington’s Edge Of Seventeen stayed on nicely close home when third on her initial outing at Naas last month. With the benefit of that experience, the Niarchos Family-owned filly should be sharper here.
SELECTION: GISELLE
Next best: Edge Of Seventeen
2.15 Darley Irish EBF Brigid’s Pastures Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) 6f
The lightly-raced Firebird has strong claims of reversing recent Naas form with Shandy. The former finished first on the far side on that occasion, but was caught close by the Fozzy Stack-trained filly. Although again drawn away from the favoured rail on this occasion, Billy Lee might be able to get across.
The aforementioned Shandy rates the main threat. Never a factor in a premier handicap over course and distance last time, the daughter of Starspangledbanner should appreciate returning to a smaller field.
SELECTION: FIREBIRD
Next best: Shandy
2.50 Gormley’s Gallery Handicap 6f
Course and distance winner Mile End looks very well handicapped running under a penalty. The Ciaran Murphy-trained filly easily landed an apprentice handicap with her jockey claiming 2lb at Bellewstown in mid week. Despite the four-year-old having to carry a mandatory 7lb extra here, rider Darragh O’Sullivan can claim his full 7lb allowance here.
Surpass And Shine is interesting dropping back to sprinting, having finished runner-up over seven furlongs on his two most recent starts. Pat Flynn’s colt is sure to race towards the head of affairs under Billy Lee.
SELECTION: MILE END
Next best: Surpass And Shine
3.25 Newbridge Silverware Ladies Trophy (Q.R.) Handicap 1m4f
Whimsy, who finished runner-up under Aine O’Connor at York in June, holds leading claims. A subsequent winner at Carlisle, the Anthony McCann-trained mare is reunited with O’Connor here. Versatile with regard to ground conditions, the five-year-old should be capable of going close off her revised mark.
Zoffanien would undoubtedly prefer further, but has been in excellent form since joining the Terence O’Brien yard. Jody Townend is likely to make plenty of use of the seven-year-old.
SELECTION: WHIMSY
Next best: Zoffanien
4.00 Fleetwood Paints Handicap 5f
A thoroughly consistent filly, who has had no luck with the draw all season, Greek Flower has finally managed to bag a stands side stall. John Feane’s five-year-old, who has been runner-up in three premier handicaps this season, can gain a well-deserved first win of the campaign.
Topweight Thunderbear has to be respected back off a mark of 96. A winner at Navan earlier in the year, the Jack Davison-trained gelding is now 3lb lower. Dropping back to the minimum trip is also in his favour.
SELECTION: GREEK FLOWER
Next best: Thunderbear
4.35 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Apprentice Handicap 1m
A course and distance winner off 6lb higher two seasons ago, the locally-trained Loingseoir can register a seventh career success.
Michael Grassick’s gelding was a winner at Fairyhouse on his penultimate start, before running well off his revised mark at Cork recently.
Handicap debut My Little Lady catches the eye for trainer Denis Hogan. The Wesley Joyce-ridden three-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement on what is just her fifth career start.
SELECTION: LOINGSEOIR
Next best: My Little Lady
5.10 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap 1m
Glencullen might be worth a chance on what is just his fourth start since returning to trainer Joanna Morgan. Third at Fairyhouse on turf in July, the gelding filled an identical position on the polytrack at Dundalk last time.
Hale Bopp, who caught the eye staying on to finish sixth in a big field over seven furlongs here on his penultimate start, shouldn’t be far away. The Dick Donohoe-trained six-year-old is nicely handicapped on his best form.
SELECTION: GLENCULLEN
Next best: Hale Bopp