1.30 Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden 7f

It was a bright start to Ides Of March’s career when fourth to Beckman in a maiden here three weeks ago, shaping as though there should be plenty of improvement from that first start. He wasn’t the stable’s selected runner on jockey bookings on that occasion but Ryan Moore is in the plate now. The Wootton Bassett colt holds an entry for the Phoenix and National Stakes and can make it three wins in a row in this maiden for Ballydoyle, having won this with Hans Andersen and Henry Longfellow recently.

Currawood, third in a maiden here on debut over the same weekend, ought to go close for Paddy Twomey and the Johnny Murtagh-trained Dakota Blue is shortlist material after his decent second at Tipperary against more experienced rivals on his first run.

SELECTION: IDES OF MARCH

Next best: Currawood

2.00 Barberstown Castle Sprint Nursery Handicap 6f

The only previous winner in the line-up, Shimmy Jimmy, gets the verdict to land the first nursery of the season for the in-form Donnacha O’Brien team. He knuckled down well to win over just shy of this trip at Navan last weekend in the first-time cheekpieces, and Paddy Harnett’s 5lb claim is another plus. He could yet have more improvement to come.

Rudi’s Apple brings the standout piece of form to the table, that being his fine sixth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. He couldn’t get off the mark in a maiden last time at Fairyhouse as 6/4 favourite and a better effort will likely be required to land this off a mark of 90. His trainer, Joseph O’Brien, has won three of the last four runnings of this race, though.

SELECTION: SHIMMY JIMMY

Next best: Rudi’s Apple

2.35 David Power Memorial

Premier Handicap 6f 65yds

Mr Wagyu is without a win since landing this prize two years ago off 7lb higher, but he has been knocking on the door this season with three seconds and a third from five runs in 2024. At the age of nine, it is fully possible that he isn’t completely the force of old but we know he likes this track and trip, should get away with handling the expected rain and demands automatic respect as a British-trained sprinter tackling a handicap like this.

Given who this race is named after, Heavenly Power would be a fitting winner for Sabena Power and Eddie Lynam. He lost little in defeat last time and should be on the premises. My Mate Alfie is a likeable three-year-old who could be up to coping with a mark of 103 after his listed success here last time.

SELECTION: MR WAGYU

Next best: My Mate Alfie

3.05 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) 5f

A trio of British-trained runners tackle this €120,000 contest and it wouldn’t be a surprise if any of them won it. Believing, fourth in both the King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, is the one to beat if running to that level once again. However, with rain expected through the early hours of Saturday morning into race time, conditions could easily be softer than she thrived on the last twice.

Makarova, representing Ed Walker, will only be helped by that forecast and might represent a bit of value despite being rated 6lb inferior to Believing. She impressed last time in Group 3 company at Sandown and that was no fluke on the evidence of what she showed in Group 1 sprints last season. Ano Syra might be the pick of the home team if reproducing her Greenlands Stakes effort. Valiant Force, entitled to improve from Ascot, probably won’t want to see the rain.

SELECTION: MAKAROVA

Next best: Believing

4.15 Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2) 1m 6f

A decent turnout for this Group 2. Vauban appeared to have his stamina stretched last time in the Gold Cup at Ascot when beaten nine lengths in fourth behind Kyprios, and this shorter trip will be much more up his street. He was even effective over a mile and a half at Naas last season. The biggest question mark hanging over him is whether such a demanding effort over two and a half miles just 30 days ago may have left its mark, but Willie Mullins is one man you certainly like to have on your side in these instances.

Tower Of London is back from nine weeks off, having failed to catch fire in the Yorkshire Cup. He is clearly better than that effort and, if sharp enough after that mini-break between runs, is bound to put up a serious challenge to the selection.

SELECTION: VAUBAN

Next best: Tower Of London

4.50 Businessplus.ie Handicap 1m 2f

It mightn’t be an ideal task tackling a handicap like this with top weight and such little experience, but there’s a chance that Siege Of Troy could simply be better than this grade and a chance is taken on her taking advantage of having an unexposed profile and rating of 88. She won well over this course and distance last time and is bred to be at least up to this level. Her trainer, Johnny Murtagh, often emerges with a handicap winner or two on these major weekends at the Curragh.

A 5lb rise for It’sonlyjustbegun for winning at Navan last weekend seems pretty fair given the style in which she got off the mark. She’s a lightly-raced, well-bred type for Jessica Harrington who could have more to come. Her rider, Keithen Kennedy, can also claim 3lb more here than he could last time when winning on her in an apprentice handicap. Lord Church comes here in tremendous form seeking a four-timer and can’t be ruled out.

SELECTION: SIEGE OF TROY

Next best: It’sonlyjustbegun

5.25 La Celia Wines Irish EBF Fillies Maiden 7f

White Clover has strung two encouraging runs back-to-back to begin her career, and the experience gained in those maidens may allow her to get off the mark here. She wasn’t beaten all that far when green on debut here behind the useful Zaynab, while the form of her subsequent third at Leopardstown got a boost when runner-up Apricot Ice won a Curragh maiden and competitive sprint handicap off 87 on her next two starts. The Joe Murphy stable has also been among the winners lately.

Kailasa finished ahead of the selection on debut here in April but has been a little frustrating to follow since, while still being fairly consistent. Castanets has the beating of her on the basis of their Roscommon clash last time and needs respecting. Counterculture might be one to appreciate the rain after a promising debut at Tipperary on easier ground, and didn’t run badly last time at Gowran.

SELECTION: WHITE CLOVER

Next best: Counterculture