1.50 Gain Railway Stakes (Group 2) 6f

The decision to swerve the Coventry Stakes with Unquestionable when Ballydoyle already had River Tiber in their arsenal looks a shrewd move now, and the impressive maiden winner must have a big chance of picking up this €120,000 prize as a quality alternative. The form of his debut third in the Listed First Flier Stakes looks all the stronger now, with the first two home, His Majesty and Valiant Force, finishing fourth and first respectively in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. The fact Ryan Moore partners him over His Majesty could be telling.

Bucanero Fuerte, representing the same connections as Valiant Force, posted a smashing effort when third in the Coventry Stakes on his first start since winning the first maiden of the season at this venue in March. Go Bears Go went from finishing second in the Norfolk Stakes to winning this event shortly afterwards, so it can be done in terms of a short turnaround. This is a high-quality contest, though, and it’s tough to rule out many with confidence.

SELECTION: UNQUESTIONABLE

Next best: Bucanero Fuerte

2.25 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes (Listed) 6f

British sprinters are always feared when tackling Irish prizes in this division and Commanche Falls must be taken seriously as the sole overseas raider in the line-up. His latest third in a Group 2 at York behind Azure Blue and Highfield Princess was a rock-solid effort. Michael Dods’ challenger has yet to win outside handicap company but he has gone close on a couple of occasions and should be bang there again.

However, Mooneista might be the play at the prices. It didn’t happen for her in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot but her previous fourth behind Ladies Church on her comeback was encouraging and she tends to operate well at the Curragh (a win and three seconds from six course visits). These are much calmer waters than last time and she might be all the better for dropping in class.

SELECTION: MOONEISTA

Next best: Commanche Falls

3.00 Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap (Premier Handicap) 5f

Mick Appleby recorded a notable winner last week at Royal Ascot when Big Evs provided him with a first success at the Royal Meeting. The shrewd British trainer could mark another first this weekend as Michaela’s Boy should give him a live chance to record a breakthrough winner in Ireland. Appleby previously sent out the admirable Caspian Prince to finish second in this race in 2018 and his 2023 representative comes here on the back of a respectable eighth in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (previously third in listed company at York). He could be overpriced from an each-way perspective as a three-year-old with plenty of sprinting know-how.

Another of the British challengers, Came From The Dark, also commands respect, for all that he is a while without a win and has threatened to pop up in one of these before without delivering. The handicapper has given him a real chance and he won’t be far away if delivering his ‘A’ game. Of the domestic team, Jon Riggens, representing Eddie Lynam, has the tools to show up well in a typically competitive renewal of this €100,000 contest.

SELECTION: MICHAELA’S BOY

Next best: Came From The Dark

4.15 Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1m

Arguably the toughest handicap on the card to solve. The handicapper hasn’t missed Chazzesmee’s progress in rattling off back-to-back wins at Dundalk and Naas but he’s clearly on the up.

He could be worth rowing in behind for Joey Sheridan and Fozzy Stack, with any market confidence a positive (won as 6/4 favourite and 11/8 favourite the last twice).

Blues Emperor, representing Johnny Murtagh, is another progressive handicapper but stable jockey Ben Coen instead rides Rahmi, who won a similar event off 4lb lower over this course and distance five weeks ago. At a bigger price, Howyoulikethat is coming back down the weights and might be well suited to this type of test around here.

SELECTION: CHAZZESMEE

Next best: Rahmi

4.50 Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) 7f

Ryan Moore teams up with Ger Lyons for what appears to be the first time with Mauiewowie, a classy juvenile last season who now switches to handicap company and goes up in trip. By Night Of Thunder and a half-sister to winners over middle distances, it’s possible she could stay this extra distance and she is certainly shortlist material.

However, there’s a fair chance that a mark of 83 could underestimate Lan Cinnte’s ability and she arrives here after gaining a confidence-boosting maiden win at Limerick 18 days ago, having finished runner-up on her previous two starts. She could represent a bit of value.

Joseph O’Brien fields a strong team of three, including Royal Ascot fourth and fifth, Adelaise and Yerwanthere. Both are up to winning a race like this but only time will tell if their exertions of 11 days ago will see them operate at the top of their game.

SELECTION: LAN CINNTE

Next best: Mauiewowie

5.25 Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes (Listed) 1m

It isn’t easy for three-year-old fillies to face off against older colts and geldings but Tarawa makes plenty of appeal as an exciting youngster who could be capable of shaking up the older brigade here. It was a cracking run from the Dermot Weld-trained daughter of Shamardal when fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas behind superstar stablemate Tahiyra and her official rating of 107 is the highest on offer here.

Should she struggle to make her presence felt against the boys, Cosmic Vega has proven himself effective at this level before and a mile on decent ground here should be fairly suitable for him. Lord Massusus has been in terrific form for Joe Murphy and is expected to be on the premises again.

SELECTION: TARAWA

Next best: Cosmic Vega

6.00 Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF “Ragusa” Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1m 4f

A wide-open affair to bring the curtain down on a high-class weekend of action. Mr Escobar caught the eye when lacking daylight and hanging badly in a valuable two-mile handicap on All-Weather Finals Day at Lingfield in April. That was his first start for Willie Mullins and he might be worth giving another chance to, running off a handy weight of 8st 11lb. For a five-year-old, he’s very much unexposed on his fifth career start.

My Mate Mozzie was another who shaped encouragingly on his most recent outing, finishing seventh to Nusret on his return from a break here 25 days ago. He’s probably on a winnable mark when all falls right but possibly could be better over further. Safecracker can be relied on to run a solid race and be in the shake up for Johnny Murtagh.

SELECTION: MR ESCOBAR

Next best: My Mate Mozzie