1.35 Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes (Listed) 7f

This looks like an above-average edition of the Irish Champions Festival curtain-raiser. The experience of five previous runs will be a big benefit to Ballydoyle’s Ibelieveicanfly, who bolted up in a strongly-run race at the Curragh two starts ago before finishing fourth behind some of the prominent Moyglare Stakes fancies in the Group 2 Debutante three weeks ago. Only beaten two lengths there, this Frankel filly looks very much a work in progress and she is held in high regard.

Timeless Tale is the most exciting of the bunch, however, after annihilating her rivals by eight and a half lengths on debut at Naas 20 days ago. She could be absolutely anything for Willie McCreery and the O’Callaghans, and perhaps the only possible negative is her lack of experience, now in at the deep end for only her second start. This is also a step up in trip for her. Maire Rua created a fine impression when winning on debut over this course and distance, though she was turned over subsequently at Cork in a listed event. Maeda Matsu adds further substance to the race, while Miss Cashman Hooke might well outrun her initial price of 66/1, with her trainer knowing what it takes to win this prize. (MB)

SELECTION: IBELIEVEICANFLY

Next best: Timeless Tale

2.10 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap 7f

Johnny Murtagh boasts a strong hand with last year’s winner Rahmi, who has dropped down the weights, and Ben Coen’s selection Sindagan, making his handicap debut.

Unexposed three-year-old Victory Tip enters the occasion based on his penultimate start, when second and giving weight to a progressive rival completing a hat-trick. He remains open to progression, as does Howd’yadoit on his first start over seven furlongs.

Last year’s Ballyhane Stakes winner has been running well against more experienced handicappers and was dropped 6lb since his last run. First reserve Oro Blanco gets in, with Keithen Kennedy’s 5lb making him a featherweight. He’ll appreciate any rain. (AL)

SELECTION: RAHMI

Next best: Howd’yadoit

3.15 World Pool Bet With The Tote Kilternan Stakes (Group 3) 1m 4f

It’s tough to look beyond the exciting Purview, as Dermot Weld’s four-year-old bids for a fourth win on the bounce. This looks by far his biggest test this season, however, and he didn’t exactly look to have taken a step forward on his last start when winning the International Stakes almost 11 weeks ago. Perhaps the shorter trip didn’t suit him then. He will need to bring his ‘A’ game and he is priced up at quite skimpy odds.

Purely from a value perspective, the each-way play in the race looks to be Johnny Murtagh’s Asakir, an Aga Khan home-bred who the trainer has always been sweet on.

On official ratings, he has plenty of work to do, but he is only a three-year-old and has been given a nice bit of time since probably not acting on rattling-quick ground in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. Prior to that, he had looked a progressive gelding, able to readily win a 10-furlong maiden here earlier in the year. He should outrun his price of 33/1 for a trainer who always targets this weekend intently and recorded a treble across the two days last year.

This is a much better edition of the race than usual. The globetrotting Sons And Lovers brings quality form to the table, Charlie Appleby has supplemented Arabian Crown, James J Braddock promises to be much better now gelded and others like Green Impact, Goodie Two Shoes and In My Teens have claims in their own right too. (MB)

SELECTION: ASAKIR

Next best: Purview

4.25 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes (Group 2) 1m

Isaac Newton has been inconsistent but may have found his groove at this trip, based on last month’s Group 3 success at this track. The three-year-old’s 5lb lower weight helps to balance the class deficit with British raider Quddwah, though his form on softer ground may swing conditions back in the six-year-old’s favour.

Last seen finishing a two-length second to Ombudsman in the Dubai Turf in March, the multiple group winner tends to run well fresh, so his absence shouldn’t be too much of an issue, though it may go against the lightly-raced, but talented Expanded.

Power Blue may be better suited to seven furlongs these days, but his fourth-placed efforts behind Gstaad and Bow Echo earlier this season suggest his class could prevail in a race of this nature. Faiyum has to bounce back from some disappointing efforts. (AL)

SELECTION: QUDDWAH

Next best: Power Blue

5.35 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap 1m 5f

British challengers must always be feared in these valuable handicaps and while Evanesco didn’t look the finished article when winning a big pot at Hamilton last time out, it’s worth noting that the last four winners of this race have carried less than nine stone.

With that in mind, Factual Fact holds strong claims, boosted by the 7lb claim of Conor Cusack.

De Bromhead’s seven-year-old has been largely consistent this season given that he missed much of his early career, remains open to improvement.

Immutable and Night Moon remain on the same mark as when finishing second and third – a head between them – behind a hugely progressive three-year-old over a mile and a half at Galway.

That was Night Moon’s second start of the season, and his stamina is more guaranteed than his rival’s. Cannes and Wyman, who had two lengths between them in a listed race here last month, are two three-year-olds capable of making their presence felt against seasoned rivals, with preference for Colin Keane’s mount Canne. (AL)

SELECTION: NIGHT MOON

Next best: Factual Fact

6.10 World Pool Bet With Tote Autumn Fillies’ Handicap

1m 60yd

Aviatrice’s second-placed effort over course and distance two starts ago ranks highly as the winner she finished half a length behind went on to complete a hat-trick in the Irish Cambridgeshire, winning by three lengths.

Aviatrice is only 2lb higher now, while the hat-trick seeking Rebel Wave may be able to defy a 3lb rise as she steps up in trip, having led close home the last twice.

Ballydoyle blueblood Drop Dead Gorgeous is an intriguing prospect on handicap debut, having looked a smart prospect when winning her maiden and placing in the Athasi Stakes, but has disappointed on four starts since.

This drop in class is hoped to bring improvement, with the same applying to Killashee Warrior, who finished a fine fourth in a Guineas Trial here on her first start of the season. Her maiden win came over a mile and Oisin Murphy’s booking is another positive. (AL)

SELECTION: AVIATRICE

Next best: Killashee Warrior