Ryan McElligott

2.25 FLAT BREEZE UP AT GOWRAN PARK MAY 21st & 22nd 2015 MAIDEN 7F

Aerialist offered encouragement late last season and he could get off the mark here provided the ground doesn’t ease too much. His most eye-catching effort from three runs last year - and the one that earned him his 93 rating - came when he was beaten less than 4l into fourth by Sir Maximilian in the 5f Mercury Stakes at Dundalk in October. This trip represents an unknown for the Sea The Stars horse but that last run is a strong piece of form. He is preferred to Cenotaph who has filled the runner-up spot on his two starts to date, including when chasing home the newcomer In My Pocket in a 1m maiden at Navan last week. This son of War Front should improve for the run and the slight drop back in trip. Tadaany and Ardhoomey have both showen ability.

Selection: AERIALIST

Next Best: Cenotaph

2.55 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES HANDICAP 7F

She had to settle for third when a short-priced favourite for this race last year and she is now 7lbs higher but Sparkle Factor gets the vote. The daughter of Arch won a 7f premier handicap at the Curragh and she was beaten less than 2l into fifth in a listed race at Killarney. It is interesting that she has remained in training as a four-year-old. The hat-trick chasing Princess Aloof is an obvious threat but she has gone up 16lbs for two recent triumphs and perhaps a bigger threat could come from the St Moritz winner Duchess Andorra. She well against decent types in a couple of maidens over this trip last summer and looked as though she might appreciate a return to this distance when sixth in a useful 1m Curragh handicap in September.

Selection: SPARKLE FACTOR

Next Best: Duchess Andorra

3.25 LADIES DAY JUNE 20TH AT GOWRAN PARK HANDICAP (47-65) 7F

No Way Jack could prevail following an encouraging comeback fifth behind Ringside Humour over this course and distance. He was badly drawn but was still beaten less than 2l in a race where the winner and the fourth, Ishebayorgrey, have both won since. He has a low draw to aid his cause and better ground. Zakhrafa is also well drawn for her first handicap start. She wasn’t disgraced when ninth behind The Warrior in a 6f Curragh maiden on the opening day of the season and several of those that finished around have since run well.

Selection: NO WAY JACK

Next Best: Zakhrafa

4.00 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF VICTOR MCCALMONT MEMORIAL STAKES (LISTED) 1M 1F 100YDS

An opportunity for the returning Carla Bianca to extend her winning sequence. She did especially well last season when winning two listed races - one over this course and distance - before signing off with a 1m 1f Group 3 triumph at the Curragh. Her rate of progress last season suggested that she would have no trouble holding her own at a higher level. Legatissimo didn’t run to her best when fourth to Stormfly in a 1000 Guineas Trial. However, her second in a Curragh listed race last August when she split Group 1 performers Jack Naylor and Together Forever is a strong piece of form. This step up in trip could suit the daughter of Danehill Dancer. The Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Euphrasia should be all the better for her comeback third behind Fascinating Rock. She would need the ground to ease to be at her best though.

Selection: CARLA BIANCA

Next Best: Legatissimo

4.30 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES MAIDEN 1M 1F 100YDS

Variable holds a number of high profile entries over the coming weeks and this well-bred daughter of Sea The Stars could make a winning debut. Variable is a daughter of the Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Proportional whose siblings include the Weld-trained Group 3 winner Vote Often. The Epsom and Irish Oaks entrant is chosen ahead of Terracotta who stepped forward from her unplaced debut when finishing a 7¾l third to stablemate Fluff in a 1m maiden last weekend. This longer trip shouldn’t be any problem. Scintillating Suzi is a daughter of Intense Focus out of a useful 95-rated mare who won twice at this track. My Twinkle is also of interest having shown promise on her only outing last September.

Selection: VARIABLE

Next Best: Terracotta

5.00 FAMILY FUN DAY JUNE 21st AT GOWRAN PARK HANDICAP (47-65) 1M

Knights Templar hasn’t won a race for almost two years and was held on his return to action here a fortnight ago. However, he should come forward for that and he will appreciate coming back to this trip while he is a dual course winner who will enjoy the better ground. He is 23lbs lower in the weights than he was this time last year and has a good draw. He is preferred to Zelos Dream who also seems to reserve her best for this track. She is only 4lbs higher than when winning here last September and she has shown she can run well first time out. Pushkar won at a higher grade than this at Limerick last week.

Selection: KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Next Best: Zelos Dream

5.35 GOLF SOCIETIES WELCOME RACE 1M 1F 100YDS

Mohaayed turned in a solid effort on his return to action at Leopardstown when he was beaten just over 5l into third by live classic hope Zawraq in a 2000 Guineas Trial. At Leopardstown the Intikhab colt, who won a 1m maiden last season, shaped as though he would appreciate stepping up in trip and there should be more to come from him over this longer distance and with the benefit of a previous run. Royal Navy Ship looked a colt with a good future when making a winning debut in a Curragh maiden last October but he was then turned over at 1/6 in a Group 3 at Leopardstown a fortnight later. Zafilani was beaten 4½l into second by Success Days in the Ballysax Stakes on his return and he too is respected.

Selection: MOHAAYED

Next Best: Royal Navy Ship