Kevin Blake

4.10 PERENNIAL FREIGHT MAIDEN 1M 4F

A wide-open maiden to kick off proceedings and marginal preference is given to the Andrew Heffernan-trained Creative Talent. The three-year-old has been showing plenty over longer trips than this, but this slightly shorter distance and sharper track should play to his strengths and he could make it eighth-time lucky. Of his rivals, if the Willie McCreery-trained Nanamour can return to anything like the form she was showing last season, she will be a danger to all.

Selection: CREATIVE TALENT

Next best: Nanamour

4.45 ASHTOWN HOUSE STUD EBF FILLIES MAIDEN 1M 4F

This looks to be a good opportunity for the David Wachman-trained Marie Celeste to get off the mark at the fourth time of asking. The daughter of Galileo has made steady progression in her three starts to date, most recently finishing fourth to Stellar Glow in a mile and a half maiden at Leopardstown. A repeat of that form will make her hard to beat at this level. The biggest danger to her looks to be the Dermot Weld-trained Faseeha, with the daughter of Teofilo having gone close in an extended nine-furlong maiden at Wexford last month on ground that would have been softer than ideal.

Selection: MARIE CELESTE

Next best: Faseeha

5.20 PURCELL PROPERTIES RATED RACE 1M 4F

Competitive fare and the Patrick Prendergast-trained Pincode is given the nod. The son of Galileo made it eighth time lucky when winning a maiden at Bellewstown last time and he has the form in the book that entitles him to take all the beating off top weight in this class of contest. The John Murphy-trained For Goodness Sake got off the mark in a maiden at Wexford last time and is bred to appreciate this longer trip and sounder surface.

Selection: PINCODE

Next best: For Goodness Sake

5.50 HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT THE STRAND INN HANDICAP (47-65) 1M 4F

This is very competitive indeed and a chance is taken on the Johnny Levins-trained Brokopondo. The three-year-old has been running very well since joining Levins, winning an extended nine-furlong handicap at Gowran Park in June and shaping well when a close fourth in a mile handicap at Naas last time. This longer trip should be fine for him. The pick of the remainder could well be the Dick Brabazon-trained Flowing Air, with the five-year-old being well capable of going well off her current mark in conditions that will suit her.

Selection: BROKOPONDO

Next best: Flowing Air

6.25 CHRISTINE HADFIELD MEMORIAL HANDICAP 1M 4F

The selection is the John Kiely-trained Henry’s Girl. The six-year-old won a maiden at Wexford in July and made an encouraging handicap debut at Tipperary last time, but with both of those runs coming on ground that was much softer than ideal, she could well show some improvement back on this firmer surface. The Pat Martin-trained Oceania Queen is in foal and has been in excellent form all season. She has run well at this track before and has to be considered a contender.

Selection: HENRY’S GIRL

Next best: Oceania Queen

6.55 ASSEMBLY TECHNIQUES HANDICAP (47-65) 2M

Another highly-competitive handicap and the Terence O’Brien-trained Viaduct Joey makes appeal. The nine-year-old has been shaping well over mostly shorter trips than this and the return to this longer distance should play to his strengths. The main danger to him looks to be the Robert Hennessy-trained Magnetic Force, with the eight-year-old coming into this off the back of a very good second to High Kicker in a handicap at Wexford.

Selection: VIADUCT JOEY

Next best: Magnetic Force

7.25 DAN COWMAN MEMORIAL HANDICAP 2M

A tricky race to round off the card and the James Nash-trained Massini’s Trap is selected to prevail. The six-year-old hasn’t been showing a lot on the flat of late, but he bounced right back to form over hurdles at the Galway Festival last time and if he can transfer that form back to the level, he is off a fair mark and has conditions to suit. Another with strong hopes is the Gordon Elliott-trained Landau, with the five-year-old having gone close on the flat at Leopardstown in June and over hurdles at Killarney in July.

Selection: MASSINI’S TRAP

Next best: Landau