1.40 Kilberry Apprentice

Handicap 5f

Andrew McNamara produced a fine piece of training to win with Aurora Nova on the back of a 223-day break at Bellewstown last time and could well have progress to come, but a 7lb hike, combined with Wesley Joyce not being able to use his 5lb claim like he did on that occasion, is off-putting. It’s probably a case of the drier the ground, the better her chance too. Velvet Skies possibly wants better ground as well, but he ran well in testing conditions at Naas last month and could still be on a reasonable mark if putting his best foot forward after disappointing when 9/4 favourite at Dundalk last time. Terry Casey’s 7lb claim is another plus, and he did run well over this course and distance last May.

Catherine Croi, who finished ahead of the selection at Naas last time, would welcome any rain and is consistent enough to recommend as a solid place option at least. An 8lb rise for winning a very weak-looking contest last time possibly looks a bit excessive for Step Back In Time, though she had dropped to an attractive mark and likes it here.

SELECTION: VELVET SKIES

Next best: Catherine Chroi

2.15 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden 6f

The experience gained by Charles Darwin on debut at the Curragh a fortnight ago when fourth as 4/6 favourite should stand him in good stead here, and he gets a tentative nod in a maiden where eight of his 11 rivals are unraced. A full brother to Group 1 winner Blackbeard, the No Nay Never colt received a favourable mention at an early-season Ballydoyle press morning and is the sole representative for the yard here.

Plenty of these make appeal on paper. Joseph O’Brien has already got on the scoresheet in the two-year-old division this season and his Clarity Of Thought is a 160,000gns yearling purchase by Mehmas who comes from a smart family. Stablemate Estoublon cost €160,000 last year and has a mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree. Echo Of Faith, a gelded newcomer for Jessica Harrington, is a half-brother to Ger Lyons-trained listed winner Sakti, while Donnacha O’Brien’s Ipanema Beach is by a top sire in Siyouni and out of a Group 3-winning Galileo mare (over a mile and a half). Given Ger Lyons and Jack Davison have each struck with two-year-olds already this term, any confidence behind Harmani and Swinging The World could be noteworthy.

SELECTION: CHARLES DARWIN

Next best: Clarity Of Thought

2.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Committed Stakes (Listed) 6f

This surely won’t be D-Day for last year’s Group 1 Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket, so he mightn’t be entirely bombproof despite being the best of these at the weights. That said, it’s difficult to oppose him as the class act of the race as he prepares for a return to the top flight.

Stablemate Ides Of March improved through last season and reverting to six furlongs from his last appearance over the minimum trip at the Breeders’ Cup (when seventh and two lengths behind fifth-placed Whistlejacket) should be in his favour. Cowardofthecounty was tried as a seven-furlong horse in the second half of last term and might well need that trip to be seen at his best, but an ease in the ground, combined with this stiff finish, ought to help bring him into it. Pedro Nunes won’t be found wanting for fitness, you’d imagine, after a recent debut win at Dundalk over seven furlongs, though beating a 114-rated rival like Whistlejacket on only his second appearance is obviously challenging.

SELECTION: WHISTLEJACKET

Next best: Cowardofthecounty

3.25 Bar One Racing Vintage Crop Stakes (Listed) 1m 6f

Having won this race the last twice he lined up here in 2022 and 2024, Kyprios can begin his season on a winning note. Don’t expect to see him anywhere near his brilliant best, as connections work back from another tilt at the Gold Cup, but he’s still talented enough to run a nice way below his best and manage to collect. He looked as good as ever when going through the entirety of last year unbeaten.

Enfranchise could give him something to think about if well below his peak, given how promisingly she shaped when third on her debut for Willie McCreery in the Listed Devoy Stakes at Naas last month. Poetic Sound is thoroughly unexposed, however, and could outrun his odds at an each-way price to reach the frame. It was a solid showing when a close second on his return from 187 days off last time here behind the capable Saturn and there’s every chance we haven’t got to the bottom of him just yet.

SELECTION: KYPRIOS

Next best: Poetic Sound

3.55 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes (Group 3) 1m 2f

This worked out to be a cracking race last year, with Epsom Oaks heroine Ezeliya beating Irish Oaks third Purple Lily, with several future blacktype winners in behind - and Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes runner-up Wingspan. We could be set for a real quality affair this year too. The recent Leopardstown maiden winners, Tarima and Catalina Delcarpio, made highly impressive introductions and fall into the ‘could be anything’ category at this stage.

Catalina Delcarpio was visually the more impressive, drawing four and a half lengths clear of the field with a touch of star promise, though Tarima won with more authority than the bare length-and-three-quarter margin suggests. Her closing splits on that occasion were smart. With the Dermot Weld-trained filly hailing from the outstanding Aga Khan family of Tarnawa and Tahiyra, she just about gets the vote to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner from the same stable. Ecstatic looks to be going the right way on the basis of her recent Group 3 second to One Look and has a clear experience edge over the aforementioned duo.

SELECTION: TARIMA

Next best: Catalina Delcarpio

4.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median

Auction Maiden 1m 2f

If able to get out and race a little more professionally earlier than last time, with natural improvement, Sound Of Lightning should deliver a bold bid. A Niarchos family homebred for Donnacha O’Brien, this well-bred filly gave her rivals a clear headstart when breaking slowly out of the gates at the Curragh last month and could never really get into a position to challenge more experienced rivals. However, the manner in which she came home for third was promising - nearly three and a half lengths faster than anything else in the field from three furlongs out to the line.

Minella Boss posted two decent efforts on testing ground last season and should appreciate stepping up to this middle-distance trip. Reyenzi was second on his only start last season and hails from a stable doing excellently in three-year-old maidens this term. Vorfreude and Nobler have the advantage of recent runs.

SELECTION: SOUND OF LIGHTNING

Next best: Minella Boss

5.00 Arkle Bar Handicap 1m 2f

Not declared when he would have got a run as a reserve in a handicap at Limerick yesterday, Zipster is an interesting contender for Ger O’Leary after catching the eye in fifth at Leopardstown last month. That was his second start since switching yards for 50,000gns last October and he was much easier to back at 16/1 than was the case when down the field as 4/1 joint-favourite at Dundalk in January. The race did not unfold to plan at Leopardstown, after being slowly into stride and not getting a clear run. Still, it was notable that nothing hit the line better than the two-time mile winner from two furlongs out to the line. He should be bang there off an identical mark if as useful at 10 furlongs (first try at trip).

Plenty of these have a squeak of some sort. Barrogstown Girl lacks a recent run but signed off in excellent form at the Curragh, Bringsty is in excellent form after striking at Gowran 10 days ago, though has been handed a wide draw for a front-runner. Thatwilldoso also went in at Gowran last time on seasonal reappearance and has an 11lb rise to defy. The Real Screamer and Flier come here after winter wins at Dundalk. Harseva, who blew away the cobwebs here last time, could be dangerous to underestimate on just her second start for Paddy Magee. She has bottom weight of just 8st 9lb on her back when factoring in James Ryan’s excellent-value 3lb claim.

SELECTION: ZIPSTER

Next best: Harseva

5.30 Navan Racecourse

Handicap 1m 5f

A tough contest to round off the card. Currently the bottom weight guaranteed a run, Elle Dorado Rock is bound to be coming home well over this trip - and the booking of Colin Keane for Tony Martin’s contender looks promising. He races from the same mark off which he was beaten half a length in second at Gowran last time.

Out For A Stroll was made to work hard when winning as 6/5 favourite at Limerick yesterday but is still a big player on her hurdles form. The Truant won’t have the ground as decent as it was last time when winning, and stablemate Forlio will appreciate the ease underfoot more. Club Manager is an interesting stable-switcher to Ross O’Sullivan and looks capable of winning races off his mark.

SELECTION: ELLE DORADO ROCK

Next best: Out For A Stroll