Kevin Blake

3:00 DUBAI DUTY FREE FINEST SURPRISE EBF MAIDEN 6F

The pick of those that have been seen in public is undoubtedly the Aidan O’Brien-trained Antelope Canyon. The son of Fastnet Rock is entered in the National Stakes, but ran below expectations on debut at Leopardstown earlier this month. He is sure to improve from that experience and could well leave that form well behind in this. Of the newcomers, both the Tommy Stack-trained Aspar and the Jessica Harrington-trained Final Frontier hold Group 1 entries and preference is given to the latter based on pedigree.

Selection: ANTELOPE CANYON

Next Best: Final Frontier

3:35 DUBAI DUTY FREE DASH STAKES (LISTED RACE) 6F

An intriguing sprint and preference is given to the Dermot Weld-trained Tested. The four-year-old is lightly-raced and made a promising return to action in a Group 3 contest at Leopardstown last week, just finding Convergence too good for her on the day. There is every chance that this trip in trip will suit her and a bold bid could well be forthcoming. The main danger to her is likely to come from the Paul Midgley-trained British raider Line Of Reason, with the five-year-old having impressed when bolting up in a listed race at Cork a fortnight ago.

Selection: TESTED

Next Best: Line Of Reason

4:10 DUBAI DUTY FREE JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE SUMMER FILLIES HANDICAP 7F

This is always a fiercely-competitive contest and marginal preference is given to the Johnny Murtagh-trained Duchess Andorra. The four-year-old took her time to get off the mark for Joanna Morgan, but she has really started to come good since, winning three of her last four starts including a handicap at Gowran Park on what was her first start for Johnny Murtagh. She was raised 10lb for that, but looks to be progressing well and could well defy it in this. Of the three-year-olds, the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Military Angel seemed suited by the drop to seven furlongs in a listed race at Naas last time and could well go close on what is her handicap debut.

Selection: DUCHESS ANDORRA

Next Best: Military Angel

4:45 DUBAI DUTY FREE FULL OF SURPRISES CELEBRATION STAKES (LISTED RACE) 1M

Not much separates this field in official ratings and one that may offer a bit of value at a bigger price is the Joe Murphy-trained Shepherd’s Purse. The son of Pastoral Pursuits has taken a little bit of time to deliver on the promise of his impressive winning debut at this track in August, but there was a lot to take from his latest outing at Leopardstown, as he didn’t getting anything like a clear run yet finished right on the heels of the leaders. H

e looks ready for the step up to this longer trip and could well go close. Of the rest, the Aidan O’Brien-trained War Envoy is sure to be popular following his win in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last week and warrants respect.

Selection: SHEPHERD’S PURSE

Next Best: War Envoy

5:20 PADDY POWER HANDICAP 1M

Another highly-competitive contest and the Mick Halford-trained Hasanour is given the nod. The five-year-old has progressed very well since entering handicaps and looked to have improved again when winning over this course and distance last month. A 7lb rise for that is fair and he could well follow up in this. The best of the rest may well be the Ger Lyons-trained Trinity Force, with the four-year-old likely to be suited by the return to a mile and firmer ground.

Selection: HASANOUR

Next Best: Trinity Force

5:50 GAIN RAILWAY STAKES (GROUP 2) 6F

This has been won by the likes of George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor and Masterscraftsman in the last decade and this year’s renewal will see an intriguing clash between the home defence and the high-profile British raider Log Out Island. The Richard Hannon-trained son of Dark Angel created a big impression when making a winning debut at Ascot in April and improved on that when second to Waterloo Bridge in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. This step up to six furlongs should suit and he sets the standard. Of the potential improvers against him, the pick may well be the Jessica Harrington-trained Rockaway Valley, with the son of Holy Roman Emperor having bolted up in a maiden over this course and distance three weeks ago.

Selection: LOG OUT ISLAND

Next Best: Rockaway Valley

7:15 DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP EBF HANDICAP (60-100) 2M

A tricky closer to the card and preference is given to the John Oxx-trained Awesome Star. The strong-staying son of Sea The Stars went close on his handicap debut over this course and distance in May prior to winning a below-average maiden at Leopardstown last week. The first-time blinkers appeal as being a positive addition and he is likely to go very close.

Of the remainder, the Dermot Weld-trained Silwana attracted substantial market support on her reappearance prior to disappointing on her return at the Curragh and she may be worth a chance to bounce back in this.

Selection: AWESOME STAR

Next Best: Silwana