1.10 GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish EBF Fillies Maiden 7f

Livenka was a beaten favourite first time out, but her third still reads well as the winner Victorious extended her unbeaten record to three in the Queen Mary. There was a lot to like about how Livenka finished that day, which suggests she’ll appreciate this extra furlong.

Her main danger, once again, is likely to come from Ballydoyle, who have won the last three runnings with subsequent group winners, including Lake Victoria and Ylang Ylang. Ryan Moore has switched from Ibelieveicanfly to Alpha following their respective fourth and second in a Leopardstown maiden over this trip.

Alpha did her best work at the end that day and is expected to improve from the experience. City Of Troy’s half-sister Exceptionally is third on jockey bookings and may be a better candidate in future races.

Donnacha O’Brien’s well-bred newcomers, Alreem, Isle Of Capri and Social Circle, are worth a market check. (AL)

SELECTION: LIVENKA

Next best: Alpha

1.40 Dubai Duty Free

Rockingham Handicap

(Premier Handicap) 5f

The hat-trick seeking Sarahmae is a progressive filly who looked capable of winning a big pot, but her new mark of 91 looks harsh considering the 74-rated runner-up she beat comfortably at Down Royal last week.

Dark Ace, meanwhile, has a strong chance off 88 – just 1lb higher than when finishing third in a valuable handicap at Newbury.

He didn’t have the smoothest passage behind a horse who was gaining a fourth win from his last five starts and followed up with a fine fourth in the Wokingham Stakes. Dark Ace’s last two wins were over six furlongs but has previously won over the minimum trip.

Without a claim this time, last year’s runner-up Red Evolution is essentially running off 4lb higher, but Dylan Browne McMonagle’s terrific form may make up for that. There should be more to come from this four-year-old, who will have needed the run at Dundalk in March, his first start since July.

Buddy Batt and Moltophino complete the shortlist. (AL)

SELECTION: DARK ACE

Next best: Red Evolution

2.10 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes

(Listed Race) 6f

Things didn’t go Big Gossey’s way 12 months ago, as the likeable grey raced keenly with no one else prepared to make the running. Front runner Little Queenie and other prominently-ridden types may ensure a better pace this time, making it difficult to ignore the course specialist.

There are plenty of other worthy contenders, including the progressive Bodhi Bear, but improving three-year-olds Oh Cecelia and Tahcawin intrigue the most following their respective second and third in the Lacken Stakes, with the winner Havana Anna boosting the form with a fine fourth in the Commonwealth Cup.

Their performances were upgraded by Oh Cecelia’s lone passage on the rail and Tahcawin’s challenge from the back, with just a neck between them on the line. The only concern is that Oh Cecelia was well-beaten next time out at Cork and needs to bounce back. (AL)

SELECTION: BIG GOSSEY

Next best: Tahcawin

2.45 Dubai Duty Free

Derby Festival Handicap

(Premier Handicap) 1m

Far From Dandy is at a career-high mark but has run well in defeat on his last three starts, having been forced to wait last time out and likely unsuited by heavy ground in the Irish Lincoln over course and distance.

Coeur d’Or had excuses in this race last year, when he didn’t get a clear run but ran on well to finish fifth and later got even closer in the Irish Cambridgeshire.

Winless since August 2023, the now 10-year-old has dropped down in the weights after poor shows on softer than ideal ground. He comes here fit after four starts this season, back to his ideal trip and holds a strong chance.

The change in the weights now go against last year’s winner Slieve Binnian, though he did win the Nasrullah Handicap off his current mark. He was well-beaten on return earlier this month but should come forward from that.

This is a bigger challenge for Pretty Omagh Girl than the handicap she won impressively on Guineas weekend, but the unexposed four-year-old is open to further improvement, which she’ll need after a 10lb hike.

Booyea is worth a chance if blinkers bring the 2024 winner back to his best. (AL)

SELECTION: COEUR D’OR

Next best: Slieve Binnian

3.20 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes (Group 3) 1m 2f

Purview couldn’t have been more impressive on return last month when bolting up by six lengths in the Orby Stakes over a mile and a half here. The drop back in trip isn’t a concern, as he placed in a Derby trial over this trip and, won a listed race over similar.

Hotazhell has run well over this trip but may not quite see it out, though first-time cheekpieces may help in that regard, though they’re presumably in reaction to how the Group 1-winning juvenile ran around on his seasonal return.

The interference he caused saw Geryon upgraded to second from third, but of greater importance is how strongly Geryon finished on what was his first start over nine furlongs. This extra furlong could keep further improvement from the three-year-old, who finished second in a pair of Group 2s as a juvenile.

So close were the final margins that day that Ger Lyons’ colt may represent better value than the reopposing winner, Isaac Newton, as an each-way prospect. (AL)

SELECTION: PURVIEW

Next best: Geryon

3.55 Dubai Duty Free

Celebration Stakes (Listed) 1m

With Joseph O’Brien’s string in such a good place right now, Alcantor could open his account in Ireland and take advantage of the race conditions that mean he’s a triple Group 3 winner without any penalty.

He could never land a blow from off the pace in the Epsom Group 3 won by Queen Anne winner Ten Bob Tony last time and disappointing on testing ground. However, this looks a calmer assignment on a more orthodox track.

Tokenomics has started his turf season with two promising efforts in listed races at Leopardstown and is entitled to be on the premises again.

Duckadilly took a step in the right direction last time when winning at Naas and could have more to offer, though she does need to progress again. There’s every chance Zodiac Bear will improve from what he showed on his return from a year off when fourth at Leopardstown earlier this month. (MB)

SELECTION: ALCANTOR

Next best: Zodiac Bear

5.15 Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Maddenstown Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1m 1f

Ray Cody has been having a sparkling run with Monvoe and another 5lb on his back for winning at Limerick earlier this month may not be enough to stop him. He hasn’t been out of the first two in his last six runs, winning three of his four most recent outings, and he’s ground-versatile. After beating older rivals last time over shorter, taking on his own age group over another furlong shouldn’t pose an issue.

William Haggas and Tom Marquand had an outstanding Royal Ascot, and they could keep the ball rolling with the unexposed King Of Earth. The recent Wolverhampton winner is getting the hang of things and now has cheekpieces added. Ready Gowran maiden winner Rolltight is open to any amount of improvement and the form of that win was boosted by the runner-up winning here on Friday.

Bobby McGee, Antigua, How’sthebai, Listentodwindblow and Sanctijude all arrive here with smart recent winning form ahead of a wide-open contest. (MB)

SELECTION: MONVOE

Next best: King Of Earth

5.45 Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Ragusa Handicap

(Premier Handicap) 1m 4f

Marazion was probably unlucky to bump into a well-backed winner here on Guineas weekend when second in a 24-runner handicap over a couple of furlongs further. After finding the step up to Group 3 company a little too much last time, as she was entitled to feel with her rating of 84, she’s going to be much more comfortable back in a handicap.

Now, she certainly wasn’t disgraced in that Munster Oaks when sixth (beaten just over five lengths by much higher-rated rivals) and she’s up to a mark of 90 now. The Jessica Harrington team have been amongst the winners at Naas this week too.

Truth Be Told went up 7lb for winning at Leopardstown on his stable debut for Michael Grassick. That came over 10 furlongs but he’s won over this far before and is still a live player off 87.

Joseph O’Brien’s Obscenity is up to the same mark now too and has momentum behind him after a win at Gowran Park last time. Hat-trick seeker The Real Screamer is entitled to plenty of respect too. (MB)

SELECTION: MARAZION

Next best: Truth Be Told