1.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap 6f

A near impossible puzzle to start the day. The three most recent winners have been 16/1, 50/1 and 33/1. The British have won five of the last 10 runnings but only one of the last five, so there is hope for the home team. On average, those drawn low have held an advantage, especially on decent ground. Working on the basis that those drawn low might come out on top again, Greek Flower is the choice. Johnny Feane’s mare has placed second on all three of her starts this term and the form is working out well.

Of those drawn high, Follow Me catches the eye. This French import recorded two impressive wins for Ross O’Sullivan earlier in the season and can be forgiven his Royal Ascot blip. He’s had a break since and we know he goes well fresh, and he acts on any ground.

SELECTION: GREEK FLOWER

Next best: Follow Me

2.25 Moyglare “Jewels’’ Blandford Stakes (Group 2) 1m 2f

Three-year-olds have won the last five runnings of this race and they will probably dominate again as the form of the Irish Oaks looks to hold the key.

Purple Lily finished third there and was a clear non-stayer. She has previous classic form too, when fifth in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Effective on all ground, she deserves to win a good 10-furlong race like this one.

A popular winner would be the sponsor’s Elizabeth Jane, who fits the trends nicely, being trained by Dermot Weld, who has won the race four times in the past 10 years. She was an eyecatcher on both her starts so far this year, especially when fourth in the Irish Oaks.

SELECTION: PURPLE LILY

Next best: Elizabeth Jane

5.20 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes 6f 63yds

It’s great to see a big field again for this race as numbers had fallen off markedly in recent years. It’s a good race for punters generally as it can be narrowed down to a handful. This year there are seven British runners and one from France (the only French runner of the weekend), but I think the home team look best on form.

Fair play to French-based Gavin Hernon for sending over Spirit D’Or. She’s the highest rated in the field but there has to be a question mark over the value of the French form. I watched a recording of her maiden win in a five-runner race at a provincial track and (odds-on) it wouldn’t take your eye out.

Donnacha O’Brien has a leading contender in Canto Della Terra, a €48,000 yearling purchase who was sold out of the Ado McGuinness stable after a promising debut second. She looked sure to win on her debut for new connections but was headed close home by An Chorr Dubh, who was subsequently sold to the US and ran okay in a Grade 3 race in Del Mar last weekend.

Joseph O’Brien’s Viking Invasion divided some fancied horses when third in a Galway maiden at the end of July. A high draw here might not be in his favour and he is dropping in trip from seven furlongs.

SELECTION: CANTO DELLA TERRA

Next best: Viking Invasion

5.55 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Northfields Handicap 1m 2f

In this race you’re looking for an improver, ideally with some previous course form. Irish Cambridgeshire winner Wigmore Street is up 7lb but he could have loads of improvement. Ryan Moore is back on board and we know he’ll be out the back at halfway so he’s one to back in running if the pace is strong and he starts to get rolling late.

Johnny Murtagh has a good record in this race. Take Heart finished fifth for him in this last year and looked better than ever last time out at Goodwood (cheekpieces added) when he won off 95.

Another to consider is Himalayan Heights, who was heavily backed when a close third at Galway. He is trained by Ger Lyons, who tends to do so well on this weekend.

SELECTION: TAKE HEART

Next best: Himalayan Heights