TODAY’S Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (3.25) at the Curragh will be the 20th running of the Group 3 prize (originally known as the Dance Design Stakes) and it also represents a strong chance for the Aga Khan to win the race for the first time.

Mashia was only beaten a length in third for the leading owner and Dermot Weld in last year’s renewal and the same combination will be hoping to go two places better with impressive Listed Glencairn Stakes winner Tarawa this afternoon.

The well-bred Shamardal four-year-old found a back-to-form Diego Velazquez too strong last time in the Group 3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown. She ought to appreciate reverting to fillies-only company here.

Perhaps the Aga Khan’s best chance in today’s €55,000 contest will prove to be the Johnny Murtagh-trained Hanalia, however.

A maiden winner at the Irish Guineas Festival before winning the Listed Oaks Trial at Naas, Ben Coen’s mount shaped as though she might be more comfortable at this type of nine-furlong trip when finishing a creditable sixth on her last outing in the Irish Oaks over a mile and a half.

Murtagh said: “She’s ready to go. It is a nice race for her - a stepping stone to the Blandford Stakes [at the Irish Champions Festival] - so we’re looking forward to getting her out.

“She has been very good since the Irish Oaks, she ran very well there. I think a mile and a quarter is probably her trip.”