Kevin Blake

REST OF THE CARD

3:05 DARLEY EBF MAIDEN 7F

Historically, this is one of the strongest maidens in the entire Irish racing calendar, with previous winners including Teofilo, New Approach, Pathfork and Australia. With those that have run not having set the world alight, it is hard to resist concentrating on the newcomers. Perhaps the two most interesting contenders are both fillies by Sea The Stars, who himself made his debut in this race back in 2008. The first is the John Oxx-trained Star Of Kings, who is from a speedy female family and is entered in both the Debutante and the Moyglare Stud Stakes. The other is the David Wachman-trained Clear Skies, a half-sister to the Derby winner Motivator that cost 500,000 gns as a yearling and is entered in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

Selection: STAR OF KINGS

Next Best: Clear Skies

3:40 KILSARAN INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP 7F

Marginal preference is given to the Kevin Prendergast-trained Penny Pepper. The daughter of Fast Company won a six-furlong maiden at this track in April and followed it up with a fine second in a valuable handicap at Naas. Her latest effort was less impressive, but she has been freshened up since then and with her looking ready for this step up to seven furlongs, she could well improve enough to win this. An interesting alternative to the selection is the Jim Bolger-trained Cruidin after she got off the mark at the 10th time of asking in a handicap at Roscommon last time.

Selection: PENNY PEPPER

Next Best: Cruidin

4:15 EVOKE.IE SPRINT HANDICAP 6F 63YDS

Given the extent to which British-trained handicappers have been dominating contests such as this in the last year, it is surprising to see just three raiders line up. Despite being 8lb out of the handicap, the Declan Carroll-trained Whozthecat very much catches the eye, given that back in 2013 he finished second in this race off 92 and won the Rockingham off 95. There was a bit more promise in his latest effort and a return to form would see him go very close. Of the domestic defence, the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Bainne looked right back to herself when winning last time and could make a big impact from 7lb out of the handicap.

Selection: WHOZTHECAT

Next Best: Bainne

4:45 JEBEL ALI RACECOURSE & STABLES ANGLESEY STAKES (GROUP 3) 6F 63YDS

Jessica Harrington’s ability to win top two-year-old races is well established and she looks to have another high-class sort in the shape of Final Frontier. The son of Dream Ahead created a very good impression when making a winning debut at this track on Irish Derby day and with improvement very much forthcoming from that, he is likely to take all the beating at this higher level. Another that made an impressive debut was the Jim Bolger-trained Queen Of Sicily, with the daughter of Cape Cross bolting up in a maiden at Naas last week, and she is likely to play a major role.

Selection: FINAL FRONTIER

Next Best: Queen Of Sicily

5:15 INVINCIBLE SPIRIT SAPPHIRE STAKES (GROUP 2) 5F

Four of the seven runners hail from Great Britain and they could well have the answer in the shape of the Michael Dods-trained Mecca’s Angel. The daughter of Dark Angel has proven to be very progressive throughout her career, most recently impressing in a Group 3 at Longchamp. Any ease in the ground will be a big help to her and she sets the standard. The biggest danger to her is likely to come from the Willie Muir-trained Stepper Point, with the six-year-old well established at this level for a number of years.

Selection: MECCA’S ANGEL

Next Best: Stepper Point

6:25 BOODLES LADIES DERBY HANDICAP 1M 4F

The one that makes the most appeal in a competitive contest is the John Kiely-trained Deor. The four-year-old son of Galileo made an encouraging handicap debut at Roscommon last time, not getting the clearest of runs prior to finishing off to good effect. This longer trip will very much suit and with it being likely that there is more to come, he is selected to prevail. The best of the rest looks to be the Kevin Prendergast-trained Majenta, with the five-year-old having won a valuable handicap over this course and distance in May prior to perhaps finding the track at Ballinrobe to be too sharp for her last time.

Selection: DEOR

Next Best: Majenta

6:55 KILLASHEE MAIDEN 1M 4F

An intriguing maiden and the most interesting contender is perhaps the Jim Bolger-trained McGuigan. The son of Teofilo arrived to Navan for his debut last October with a big reputation, but the yielding ground didn’t suit and he proved disappointing. Provided the ground isn’t much worse than good, he can be expected to show much more here and could well make a winning return. Of the newcomers, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Hanover Street catches the eye being a son of the top-class race mare Halfway To Heaven and a full-brother to the smart Flying The Flag.

Selection: MCGUIGAN

Next Best: Hanover Street