2.10 Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (Smullen Series) 1m
Amelia Earhart has been sent off favourite on all her starts, including in a Group 3 last time, when she finished fourth, beaten four and three quarter lengths. Her best runs have come on drier ground, and she may be found wanting again in this field of well-bred newcomers.
Stablemate Musical Chimes is a Wootton Bassett sister to St Leger victor Continuous and could continue Ronan Whelan’s successful association with Ballydoyle.
Market support will prove informative for her, six-figure yearling Aravalli and well-related Camelot fillies Knowinmeknowinyou and Rose Sienna.
SELECTION: MUSICAL CHIMES
Next best: Amelia Earhart
2.40 Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden (Smullen Series) 1m
It is difficult to rate newcomers without seeing market support, particularly with jockey bookings influenced by those away in Ascot.
The more experienced look a safer bet, namely Zia Zabel, who made a promising debut behind a more experienced rival at the Curragh. The 100,000gns yearling stayed on well in second, suggesting today’s extra furlong will suit.
Star Chamber took a significant step forward after being gelded, getting within half a length of a horse now rated 95, while the winner won the Beresford Stakes since.
SELECTION: ZIA ZABEL
Next best: Star Chamber
3.15 Mongey Communications Eyrefield Stakes (Group 3) 1m 1f
Piazza San Marco shaped like an exciting colt when winning a Galway maiden in which Aidan O’Brien has started a number of talented horses, including the 2023 winner of this race.
The Curragh maiden won by Thread Of Gold also boasts a fine honour roll, but more notable was the comfortable manner in which he won. The son of Ghaiyyath can be expected to improve over today’s trip.
SELECTION: PIAZZA SAN MARCO
Next best: Thread Of Gold
3.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden 7f 30yd
Minerva has been well-supported on all but one of her starts, when she outran odds of 25/1 to finish third in a Group 3. The soft ground may have been key that day and with a rating of 98, she should be hard to beat today.
Stablemate Take A Bow wasn’t disgraced on debut at the Curragh, when finishing fifth, and should step forward here. Ballydoyle blueblood Garden Party is worth a market check.
Of Johnny Murtagh’s well-bred newcomers, Blue Point filly Divine Legend may be best suited by this trip.
SELECTION: MINERVA
Next best: Divine Legend
4.20 Killavullan Stakes (Group 3) 7f 30yd
Yaupon De Replay overcame inexperience to win a listed race on debut but this is tougher. The third was subsequently well beaten in a Group 3 and the runner-up, while a fine fourth in the Richmond Stakes, didn’t feature in the Goffs Million won by Dorset.
How Zia Zabel fares at 2.40 will better inform Spangled Sands’ chances, as Joseph O’Brien’s colt finished four and a half lengths clear of him in a Curragh maiden last time out.
He had made a bright start at Galway and the winner subsequently won the Futurity Stakes, but the colt he chased home next couldn’t get close to Dorset either.
By process of elimination, Dorset appears to be the likely winner, especially considering his improvement on soft ground at the Curragh.
While stablemate Daytona has not quite lived up to the expectations set by his impressive listed win, his experience in good company should stand to him.
Mumhan shaped like a smart colt on debut last month, but might not be quite up to this level just yet.
SELECTION: DORSET
Next best: Daytona
4.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden 7f 30yd
Jack Cleary could be in for an enjoyable assignment aboard newcomer Druids Glen, a full-brother to the top-class Lake Victoria. Aidan O’Brien unveiled Twain under a 3lb claimer in last year’s race and the Ballydoyle blueblood went on to win the Criterium International.
A step up in trip and softer ground brought out a career-best effort from Unauthorized at the Curragh last time, when he appeared to tire close home, and is expected to improve again today.
Now Maybe was well-backed on debut, when the €150,000 yearling disappointed after reportedly struggling on the heavy ground. He may redeem himself today.
SELECTION: DRUIDS GLEN
Next best: Unauthorized
5.20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap 1m
Estoublon might have the upper hand off his current mark of 75. He didn’t get things his own way here in May, when he finished fourth to Group 1 performer Italy and listed winner Thesecretadversary.
Gelded in the interim, he got going late on in the Birdcatcher Nursery when last seen and is bred to appreciate this step up in trip.
Hamiyan is another who could be well treated on ratings, based on his penultimate effort, when he separated Eyrefield Stakes contender Piazza San Marco and recent Curragh maiden winner Acclamatic.
The heavy ground may have harmed his chances last time and this well-bred Wootton Bassett colt is expected to bounce back here.
SELECTION: ESTOUBLON
Next best: Hamiyan