1.05 Irish EBF Median Sires Series (IRE Incentive Race) 6f 60yds

This looks a nice opportunity for Keepupwithmyempire to build on his pleasing debut at Naas. Jessica Harrington’s colt finished third to two more experienced rivals in Little Big Bear and Alexis Zorba, who had both showed a strong level of form going into that race. He should benefit from that experience and take advantage of what looks a weaker heat.

Western Cape gets the second vote. He ran well enough on his debut at Roscommon and looks interesting now coming back in trip.

SELECTION: KEEPUPWITHMYEMPIRE

Next best: Western Cape

1.40 Pat Smullen Handicap 6f 60yds

Pearl Palinka can build on her best run of the season at Cork last month. Dermot Weld’s filly ran fourth to Neo Soul in a race that has worked out well. Despite that, she was given 4lbs more leeway from the handicapper and she remains a lightly raced filly with scope to improve.

Mogwli has struggled on his two runs since winning at the Curragh on the first day of the season but he has run well at this track in the past and can do so again. Mickey The Steel went so close to landing a big pot at the Curragh two weeks ago (second to Additional) and is respected but remains winless from 18 track starts.

SELECTION: PEARL PALINKA

Next best: Mogwli

2.15 Remembering John Kierans Rated Race 7f 15yds

Warren Beach has to give weight away to both his rivals but he may be underrated as a result. Ken Condon’s gelding won smoothly at Gowran Park last month, building on his third at the same track a week before. That was his first start since being gelded and he has scope to improve further. Perhaps more significantly, he is likely to get his own way in front in what could be a tactical affair.

Mudamer and Perfect Thunder are closely matched, with only slight preference for the former, who ran well in third behind Fiach McHugh in a good handicap on Irish 2000 Guineas day at the Curragh.

SELECTION: WARREN BEACH

Next best: Mudamer

2.50 Shay Rooney Handicap (Div I) 7f 15yds

Drombeg Duke has an 8lb rise to contend with for his Bellewstown win but is returning to a course and distance he was most impressive over when winning last season and can go in again for Eoin McCarthy. The six-year-old was an authoritative winner at Bellewstown, suggesting there could be more to come.

Mary Salome, just 1lb higher than her last winning mark, finished behind him that day and could get closer today. She is also returning to a course she has won at and coming back in trip should also suit.

SELECTION: DROMBEG DUKE

Next best: Mary Salome

3.25 Shay Rooney Handicap (Div II) 7f 15yds

Wee Pablo has likely had this contest as a target after a couple of fine efforts at Listowel last season, including a two-length win in this race. Pat Martin’s gelding ran well on his comeback, leading for a long time at Leopardstown before getting tired late on. He won from stall 14 here 12 months ago, but he’ll race from stall two today and off just a 3lb higher mark, he could be tough to peg back.

It’s Snowing and Bantry made most appeal of the more unexposed types, with preference for the latter, who went so close to winning for John Murphy and Colin Keane at Gowran Park last time. With the champion jockey back on, Bantry can give another good account.

SELECTION: WEE PABLO

Next best: Bantry

3.56 John Thomas McNamara Handicap 1m

Take a chance on The Insider here for trainer John O’Shea. He has shown improved form on three runs this season not least when fourth to Urban Oasis last time at Gowran Park. That winner has been revelation since and generally the race has worked out well.

The Insider posed a big threat in the straight that day before getting tired late on and the move back down in distance can help him today.

Gavin Cromwell’s Breezy Zoff has slowly progressed in four runs this season and if she can build on her most recent Gowran fourth, she should have a say.

SELECTION: THE INSIDER

Next best: Breezy Zoff

4.37 Oliver Broderick Fillies Maiden 1m

Ha Ha Ha has put together back-to-back good runs in her first two starts and she can get off the mark now. Jessica Harrington’s filly finished a close fourth to the useful Perfect Thunder (rated 86, runs earlier) on her debut at the Curragh and filled that position again behind One For Bobby, who has won since, at Gowran Park. That sets a strong standard, notwithstanding her scope to improve again.

In fairness, Red Azalea’s form matches that standard, but she has proven frustrating, having had seven starts now without a win. She should be thereabouts again.

SELECTION: HA HA HA

Next best: Red Azalea

5.07 Happy Birthday To The Snitch Maiden 1m

True Artist sets the standard off the back of two solid efforts in which he finished second. Indeed, he also filled that position in the Madrid Handicap last season, and deserves to get his head in front. He can do so in this comparitively weak heat.

Ms Eagleton, another filly, can give her most to do. She was a close fifth in a good Leopardstown maiden on her debut and then found just one too good at Cork.

SELECTION: MARISTELLA

Next best: Ms Eagleton