1.20 Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden 5f

Sent off favourite when finishing third on his debut at the Curragh last month, Edward Thatch should make amends. Breaking smartly to lead, the Robson De Aguiar-trained colt showed plenty of speed before being caught late on. He should be better suited to this faster track.

Dundalk debut fourth Matriarchal raced prominently before showing signs of inexperience and weakening close home. With that run under her belt, the Josh Halley-trained filly should step forward here and looks a serious contender.

SELECTION: EDWARD THATCH

Next best: Matriarchal

1.55 Unquestionable Standing At Rathbarry Stud Maiden 6f

The Piper’s Call should get off the mark here at the third time of asking. Runner-up at the Curragh on his racecourse debut last June, the Daniel McLoughlin-trained gelding ran a big race when third in a winners’ race at Naas on his only subsequent start as a juvenile.

Runner-up on his debut at the Curragh last month, Cool Azul shouldn’t be far away. Making most of the running on that occasion, Andy Oliver’s gelding kept on once headed inside the final furlong. The form of that race received a boost when the third horse picked up blacktype on his next start.

SELECTION: THE PIPER’S CALL

Next best: Cool Azul

2.30 Book Tickets Online At CorkRacecourse.ie Handicap 7f

Having improved significantly on the all-weather of late, Aviatrice is of obvious interest reverting to grass. A listed winner at Dundalk in November, the David Marnane-trained filly can race off 8lb lower now that she returns to turf. Given that she had decent placed form last summer, there is no reason why she can’t be as effective.

Gleneagle Bay had some smart handicap form on a sound surface last year. While he may have found the ground too testing when well beaten on his reappearance, the Stephen Thorne-trained gelding should be much better suited to the likely underfoot conditions here.

SELECTION: AVIATRICE

Next best: Gleneagle Bay

3.05 Goffs Irish EBF Polonia Stakes (Listed) (Fillies) 5f 110yd

Donnacha O’Brien has his team in rude health at present and Havana Anna looks like providing the trainer with further success. With an official rating of 113, the daughter of Havana Grey is well clear of her rivals and should take all the beating in this race.

Dual listed winner Ipanema Queen was narrowly beaten on her reappearance at Dundalk, but should come forward from that run. Dropping back slightly in trip should suit the Robson De Aguiar-trained filly and she looks a leading contender in this race.

SELECTION: HAVANA ANNA

Next best: Ipanema Queen

3.43 Horse and Jockey Hotel Cork Derby 1m 4f 30yd

A lightly-raced daughter of Raven’s Pass, Lifting Sails can make a winning handicap debut. A maiden winner at Bellewstown in October, the Jessica Harrington-trained filly failed to handle the surface when well beaten in a listed race at Lingfield the following month. Given that connections deemed her worthy of a run in that race, she is almost certainly better than a mark of 85.

Navy Waters shaped with plenty of promise when third on her comeback at Navan recently. Travelling strongly into the race, the Willie McCreery-trained mare held every chance before weakening late on. Dropping back two furlongs here should be very much in her favour.

SELECTION: LIFTING SAILS

Next best: Navy Waters

4.15 Racing Again Saturday, May 9th Apprentice Handicap 1m

Third at the Curragh last month, the Ado McGuinness-trained Johnny Soda can step up a couple of places. Held up towards rear, the son of Cotai Glory made headway over a furlong out before staying on late. Still looking to be learning on the job, he could be hard to beat now with the benefit of that experience.

Harmani was sent off favourite when third at Gowran Park last time. Given that the first and second again fought out the finish of a stronger race at Naas earlier in the week, it would be no great surprise to see the Ger Lyons-trained gelding play a leading role on his handicap debut.

SELECTION: JOHNNY SODA

Next best: Harmani

4.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden 1m 2f 120yd

Yousaynothingatall reverts to maiden company, having gone down by less than a length in a handicap last time. A well-bred daughter of Australia, the Joseph O’Brien-trained filly has plenty of experience and, with an official rating of 80, she sets a decent standard.

Miss Romagna ran better than her finishing position suggests when sixth at Leopardstown on her debut. The Willie McCreery-trained filly had yet to be asked for an effort when short of room over a furlong out. While it is difficult to say how much she would have found, there was enough promise in the run to give her a chance here.

SELECTION: YOUSAYNOTHINGATALL

Next best: Miss Romagna

5.27 Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden 1m 2f 120yd

Third on both starts to date, Atomic City can make the breakthrough in this finale. Having shaped with plenty of promise in a big field at the Curragh in November, the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt was beaten less than a length on his reappearance at that same track last month.

Gaelic Drills showed a fair amount of promise when fifth at Leopardstown on his introduction last month. A son of Parish Hall, the Jim Bolger-trained colt is entitled to improve for that initial outing and it would be no surprise to see him go close in what looks an ordinary maiden.

SELECTION: ATOMIC CITY

Next best: Gaelic Drills