Ronan Groome

1:35 GILLIAN CAREY “AIRO/IRISH FIELD SERVICE TO RACING AWARD WINNER” MEDIAN AUCTION MAIDEN 6f

Colin Keane has been booked by Ken Condon to ride Bronze Age and she looks the one to beat in this auction maiden. The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade has run three times and produced by far her best effort when chasing home Sunday Smart at Limerick two weeks ago, a race that took place on ground similar to what she’ll race on today. She had the reopposing Sagittarius Rising behind her that day and she should be able to confirm form at least with more hope that she can progress now that the penny seems to have dropped.

Dermot Weld’s Stellar Eclipse bumped into a good one in Kenya (goes for Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown tomorrow) last week at Cork and he should be in the shake-up in what looks like a weaker contest.

Selection: BRONZE AGE

Next best: Stellar Eclipse

2:05 BIG PICTURE COMMUNICATIONS MAIDEN 6F

A tentative vote goes to Eddie Lynam’s Ice Storm, who has had just three runs and may be able to improve further sporting a first-time visor. The three-year-old filly showed plenty of speed to race prominently before fading to fifth over 7f at this course on her previous run. The drop down to 6f could make a big difference to her now and she has a reasonable draw in stall eight.

Famous Pearl hasn’t been so lucky with the draw, out in 17, but she should be thereabouts if Declan McDonogh can maneuver her into a good position. Sally Gap is another to note. She has been inconsistent this season but has gone close to winning more than once, including at this course, and Colin Keane takes the ride for trainer Tom McCourt.

Selection: ICE STORM

Next best: Famous Pearl

2:35 SHELBOURNE F.C. RACE DAY NURSERY HANDICAP (PLUS 10 RACE) 6F

The soft ground may is not ideal for Art Of Unity but he may be able to overcome that factor to win this nursery. Noel Meade’s juvenile has the standout form in the race on account of his Naas third to Yolo Star, who subsequently ran an excellent fourth in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket last Friday. The applications of first-time blinkers and booking of Colin Keane are more factors in the son of Mazameer’s favour.

Ellona has been running consistently for Paul Deegan but may be vulnerable against potential improvers in a race like this. Jim Bolger’s Rince Deireannach, a daughter of Teofilo, could well prove much better than her current assessment of 53 and it would be no surprise to see her run well on only her fifth ever run.

Selection: ART OF UNITY

Next best: Rince Deireannach

3:05 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES HANDICAP 6F

Kailee has a nice profile for this valuable fillies’ handicap. William Farrell’s daughter of Bated Breath won a Curragh maiden on her previous run and now makes her handicap debut off a mark of 76. The soft ground she is likely to encounter here is a worry but if able to handle conditions she has the scope to improve past her current assessment given this is just her fifth career start.

Fair Game and Accalia are seasoned handicappers that come into this in reasonable form and should go well again, however the second vote goes to another unexposed filly in Magic Bear. Eddie Lynam’s filly struggled to make an impact in a listed event at Navan two weeks ago but there was no disgrace in her effort to finish seventh of 12. Back at this level, she can go well.

Selection: KAILEE

Next best: Magic Bear

3:40 RACING AGAIN NOVEMBER 7TH HANDICAP 7F

Cadrelli could be the answer to this trappy handicap. Aidan Howard’s gelding showed very little in three maidens but was more than competitive when finishing sixth on his handicap bow at Limerick and can improve now on only his fifth start.

What’s more, Pat Smullen takes over in the saddle and the five-year-old has a plum draw in stall four.

Mr Moondance has been in good form over hurdles during the summer; improving to a rating of 95. He may be able to take advantage of his mark of 57 on the flat, providing he handles the 7f trip.

Selection: CADRELLI

Next best: Mr Moondance

4:15 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES MAIDEN 1M 4F

Alaykha is not a rock solid selection but is probably the one to beat in this fillies maiden. Dermot Weld’s filly disappointed on her previous run at Dundalk but her form with Dawn Choir and High Language prior to that effort reads well. She is also proven on a soft surface and over this trip.

Dream Sleep would have to improve to win this, notwithstanding questions about her current form given a poor effort last time. Tellthemnuttin is an interesting contender. William Codd’s mare is rated 133 over hurdles and if she could translate that standard on to the flat, she will be a big threat.

Selection: ALAYKHA

Next best: Tellthemnuttin

4:50 CHRISTMAS PARTIES AT FAIRYHOUSE DECEMBER 16TH HANDICAP 1M 4F

Aa Bee See has been running over hurdles lately but returns to the flat off an attractive mark of 48, the last rating he won off on the level.

Niall Madden’s four-year-old scored in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last April, a win which brought his hurdles mark to 102 and he warmed up for this with a fair effort over a possibly inadequate trip at Downpatrick on his previous run. He should strip fitter now and 1m4f trip on the flat should suit him better.

Binary Code has some form in the book suggesting he can get involved in this sort of contest but he was a little disappointing when last seen. Get Out Of Jail comes here an in-form horse, having won at Galway and then only just failing to back that up with another win when denied by Port Moody at Limerick two weeks ago.

Selection: AA BEE SEE

Next best: Get Out Of Jail

5:25 CHRISTMAS PARTIES AT FAIRYHOUSE DECEMBER 16TH HANDICAP 1M 4F

Dixie Highway is an exposed horse but he comes into this race off the back of possibly a career best run, when second to High School Days in a handicap hurdle at Gowran Park. Prior to that he finished a respectable sixth to Get Out Of Jail on the flat at Galway. That sort of run would see him competitive, notwithstanding his good run at Gowran in between. The booking of Chris Hayes is another positive and everything looks set up for a big run.

Siempre Amigos finished second in the aforementioned Galway handicap which Get Out Of Jail won. A replication of that form would see him heavily involved but he was disappointing last time out. Port Moody did well to hold off Get Out Of Jail – the common denominator in this race – at Limerick last time and he may be able to improve again to withstand an 8lb rise.

Selection: DIXIE HIGHWAY

Next best: Port Moody