1.20 Bermingham Cameras Photo Irish EBF Maiden 6f

Battle Fleet hasn’t been seen since making his debut at Naas in mid-May but could well defy a long absence to get off the mark at the second time of asking. That Naas effort was a good one - fourth to subsequent Coventry fourth Givemethebeatboys on soft ground. The son of Siyoini has been given plenty of time to develop and the booking of Frankie Dettori is eyecatching.

The O’Brien second string, Emperor Of Rome, is another coming off a long lay off after a promising debut run when second at Dundalk. He could be dangerous.

SELECTION: BATTLE FLEET

Next best: Emperor Of Rome

1.55 John Ormonde Wexford Sand Handicap 7f

With plenty of pace on here through the likes of Alabama Pearl and Shawaamekh, the temptation is to take a chance on things falling right for Half Nutz, but his stablemate No More Porter rates a more solid proposition. Ado McGuinness’s gelding has danced all the major dances in premier handicap company over this sort of trip this summer and acquitted himself well always, most recently finishing fourth to Broadhurst in the Sovereign Path. He looks a sure thing to be in the shake up again and if he gets his head in front, it will be deserved.

Half Nutz ought to be coming how late and fast, but his challenge will depend on how hard he pulls early in the race. There is certainly a race in him off his current mark. One more to note is Fernao, Willie McCreery’s gelding, who won his maiden at Listowel by eight lengths earlier in the season. He is potentially dangerous now coming off a break and racing off a mark of 82.

SELECTION: NO MORE PORTER

Next best: Half Nutz

2.30 Alan Smurfit Beresford Stakes (Group 2) 1m

A tricky renewal with Stromberg, Navy Seal and Chief Little Rock all hard to gauge coming in off long odds-on wins. The first-mentioned has been winning emphatically and possibly looks best equipped for this, given his experience, but a chance is take on recent Galway scorer Grosvenor Square. They went very slow for that extended mile maiden and he ran keen early and green late, but still had too much guns for the second Naturally Nimble with the third Gandolfo giving the form a solid look. He may have to be very smart to win this second time out but there is every chance he could be just that.

Navy Seal also won at Galway and is respected but Deepone gets the second vote are he very much caught the eye when running on into fourth behind Diego Velazquez in the Champions Juvenile at Leopardstown. He is another with good experience, and can show up better today.

SELECTION: GROSVENOR SQUARE

Next best: Deepone

3.05 Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes

Joe McGrath Handicap 5f

Elda is probably very well handicapped off a mark of 74 and if she can deal with the demands of a big field sprint handicap, she could well be tough to beat. The Andrew Kinirons yard is much better shape, the trainer having reported issues with oil seed rape proximity earlier in the season, and this filly was a cosy winner over Never Shout Never at Tipperary last month, the pair of them coming comfortably clear in a maiden. That rival, who opposes again today, won on his next start before finishing second in the Bold Lad. He is rated 89 now but Elda still sits on 74, and with a high draw and proven ability on soft ground, she looks primed for a big run.

The Highway Rat, fifth in the Bold Lad, should appreciate coming back down to five furlongs and ought to find this a little less demanding, for all that it is still a very competitive handicap. Silmaniya also very much catches the eye. She was a close sixth to Harry’s Hill in the Rockingham and was only just touched off by The Highway Rat at Navan. She is a consistent filly with scope to improve further still.

SELECTION: ELDA

Next best: Silmaniya

3.40 Goffs Million 7f

Cherry Blossom clearly sets the standard after her Lowther second and if she runs to that form or even improves, she should win but will make little appeal to many in a such a big field. With her dominating the market, there should be each-way value here and with many of these running to finish in the first 10 with the prize money at stake, it may not be as competitive as it seems. My Mate Alfie appeals as one who is battle-hardened and classy enough to get involved at the business end. The Ger Lyons-trained beat two subsequent winners at Down Royal and his loss to Nemonte at Roscommon was no disgrace given he was conceding a lump of weight to that 90-rated filly, and there was a big gap back to the third.

Paddy Twomey’s Cathal and One Look are both newcomers, so keep an eye on the market for both. The British challenge looks reasonably strong with Mission To Moon possibly the chief threat. Roger Varian’s colt was a good winner of a valuable conditions race at Goodwood and has plenty of experience.

SELECTION: MY MATE ALFIE

Next best: Mission To Moon

4.15 Ornella Underwriting

Apprentice Handicap 1m

A tentative vote in a wide-open contest goes to Partisan Hero. Dermot Weld’s three-year-old gelding is going in the right direction, having finished third at Galway and Killarney, before going in at Gowran Park on his latest start. The upturn in form has coincided with the fitting of cheekpieces but he is lightly raced anyway and an 8lb rise in the weights may not deter him.

Aidan Howard’s mare Stay Local also arrives off a win, having scored over 10 furlongs at Navan. She should go well while Brewel Hill, a course and distance winner here last month, ran well enough off his new mark when fourth at Gowran and can do better now back at the Curragh.

SELECTION: PARTISAN HERO

Next best: Brewel Hill

4.50 DMG Media Maiden 6f

Yosemite Valley was turned over at 1/3 on his return at Navan but can gain compensation now. Donnacha O’Brien’s colt was coming back off a 411-day break but there was clearly some confidence behind him, and while the fact he didn’t win was disappointing, he might have ran into a useful sort in Aidan O’Brien’s Pop World, and the pair of them came clear of their rivals. He should be able to win this weak heat.

If there is one to take him on, it’s probably Alexander John, who managed to finish fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Needless to say, the yard he hails from is a difficult one to read. First Gentleman might appreciate a return to maiden company, where his form has been quite solid, so if you excuse his previous run, he makes some appeal.

SELECTION: YOSEMITE VALLEY

Next best: First Gentleman

5.25 Manguard Plus Maiden 1m 2f

A tentative vote goes to Shrewsbury Road who caught the eye in a maiden here last month.

John Murphy’s gelding ran green before running on to finish fifth to Sumiha over this distance. The form of that race has worked out well through the likes of Thunder Roll and Starry Eyed, so if he can improve from the experience, he should be able to get closer this time.

Feathertop was second to the aforementioned Starry Eyed on her most recent start and she had finished third to Maxux on debut at Gowran in June. A daughter of Australia, she should progress forward again.

SELECTION: SHREWSBURY ROAD

Next best: Feathertop