1.18 John Ormonde Wexford Sand Irish EBF Maiden 1m

It could be argued that Albany County showed a fraction more promise on debut than stablemate Darkness Falls in a Curragh and Leopardstown maiden respectively, but Ryan Moore’s preference for the latter makes it difficult to oppose him. The maiden that Darkness Falls finished third in on debut has worked out really nicely, with the winner, Green Dreamer, finishing an eye-catching third in the Futurity Stakes last weekend and the runner-up, Shakespeare, landing a Curragh maiden in good style.

Albany County should be winning a maiden before long in his own right, and Joseph O’Brien’s Juddmonte newcomer Cluster is entitled to automatic respect after the same connections won the opening juvenile maiden with a debutant here last weekend. Dermot Weld’s Paul Pierre is a smartly-bred newcomer by Wootton Bassett.

SELECTION: DARKNESS FALLS

Next best: Albany County

1.53 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Group 3) 1m

There was an awful lot to like about Samnina’s Galway Festival maiden win in a traditionally strong race, and she has the potential to improve even more for the step up to a mile (from seven furlongs) here. This will demand more from her in Group 3 company but she was fourth in a hot maiden on debut at this venue and is well deserving of a crack at this.

So Lovely, by Wootton Bassett and out of Love, made use of her experience to win at Leopardstown only nine days ago. She’ll need to keep improving but mightn’t be too far away. Joseph O’Brien’s duo of Bellesque and Ballyskeagh have potential in this type of race, while Damsel In Distress ran well at Cork last time and deserves plenty of respect.

SELECTION: SAMNINA

Next best: So Lovely

2.28 Audi Naas Nursery

Handicap 7f

It was a promising enough seventh from Luca Brillante in a strong-looking maiden here two starts ago before only being beaten by a neck in a Roscommon maiden on her first try at seven furlongs. This doesn’t look the worst of assignments for her off a mark of 78 and she gets the verdict for Dermot Weld.

Banks Of The Boyne wasn’t winning out of turn at Leopardstown last time. After running well on an ease in the ground at Galway, he could be one to cope with any rain and put his experience to good use. Tradewinds has to prove his stamina but will appreciate reverting to this company after trying a stronger maiden last time.

SELECTION: LUCA BRILLANTE

Next best: Banks Of The Boyne

3.03 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes

(Group 3) 6f

Unbeaten Coventry Stakes winner Great Barrier Reef was a non-runner in last week’s Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville and has been handed a calmer, but still challenging, assignment back in Group 3 company on home soil. He’s proven himself on soft ground and good to firm ground, so the rain shouldn’t be a concern, and he could have the class to overcome his 5lb penalty for Royal Ascot.

This won’t be a cakewalk, however. Livenka is a highly-talented filly for Ger Lyons and Juddmonte, and was well placed to win the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes readily earlier in the month. The rain might be a concern for her, however, given she is untried on anything slower than good officially.

Velozee, who won her maiden on soft ground without being flashy, ran a belter to be third in the Phoenix Stakes behind Sun Goddess last time and shouldn’t be underestimated. Push The Boat Out falls into the ‘could be in anything’ category on the back of an impressive debut win here 20 days ago, while Ruler’s Control, fourth in the Windsor Castle, is a capable juvenile in his own right.

SELECTION: GREAT BARRIER REEF

Next best: Livenka

3.40 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (Group 3) 1m 1f

If the maximum end of the rain that is forecast arrives, Faiyum must be a player for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane. She’s proven very effective with an ease underfoot and her official mark of 107 puts her in a solid place for this contest. She’s been given a freshen up since beaten at Gowran in May, presumably with an autumn campaign in mind.

Miss Scott ran on well from off the pace to finish second behind an all-the-way winner at Salisbury last time in listed company. She’s unexposed and the fact she is one of two rides on the card for Christophe Soumillon makes her all the more intriguing. Supplemented for this, she is the Gosdens’ first Irish runner in a year, and only their fifth since the beginning of 2023.

Impressive Galway listed winner Pivotal Attack demands respect for Joe Murphy, now trying nine furlongs for the first time (it remains to be seen whether that will be a positive). Bosphorus Rose may prove tough to peg back on the front end if as comfortable over this shorter trip.

SELECTION: FAIYUM

Next best: Miss Scott

4.15 Tote Irish Cambridgeshire 1m

If he can overcome his lack of experience in a big-field handicap like this, Loughrea is fancied to play a leading role at the business end of this €100,000 prize. Connections have been patient with him and he has been rewarding that this season, building on a Gowran maiden second to win a maiden at this venue and a handicap at Leopardstown when last seen in mid-July. After missing the Galway Festival due to nasal discharge, he comes here a fresh and improving horse, who might still be ahead of the handicapper off 91. His rider, Andrew Slattery, previously won this race in 2019.

Pierre Royal has developed more of a hardened profile this season, having won a premier handicap here on Irish Derby day before a highly respectable second and fourth in the same week at the Galway Festival. Yes, he’s creeping up the weights (2lb higher than Ballybrit now) but he doesn’t have huge mileage and clearly likes it here. Hellorhighwater lacks a recent run after 121 days off but did look progressive when winning at Limerick in April. Her trainer, Natalia Lupini, had Dunum capable of winning a similar event on his second run in a week after a long layoff at Galway. In a typically competitive edition of this race, Hardy Warrior brings a fair deal of class to the table. Playin Cool is a big price but makes each-way appeal if able to rediscover his best form - and with the rain arriving.

SELECTION: LOUGHREA

Next best: Pierre Royal

4.50 Holden Plant Rentals

Apprentice Handicap 6f

Gerrit’s Gem has plenty of weight on his back but takes a drop in class and might be able to get his favoured soft conditions if the rain arrives. He’s not been at his best on good ground lately and has been dropping in the weights during that period. He can show a different side to his game if the ground is juicy.

Faoladh, a winner at the Galway Festival when last seen, should give Ava Maher a good spin as she bids for her first winner under rules. A 3lb rise for that Ballybrit success does not seem excessive at all.

Naoi has generally been consistent and got the job done in decent style at Leopardstown last week. She’s another who hasn’t been hammered by a 4lb rise and crucially is able to remain in this grade. Sam Coen knows her and she’ll be thereabouts if the drop in trip doesn’t catch her out. Rosato rattled the crossbar here last week and is respected, despite a 4lb nudge up the handicap.

SELECTION: GERRIT’S GEM

Next best: Naoi