1.25 Kuroshio At Compas

Stallions Maiden 6f

Run Ran Run put up a fine performance on debut at the Curragh last October and can get off the mark now. Fozzy Stack’s colt found only Tooprofitable too good on the day and showed he can handle heavy ground (likely here) in the process. The stable have traditionally had their runners forward for this time of year.

Red Letter Bray is an interesting runner for Michael O’Callaghan. He was sixth in the maiden Auguste Rodin won at this course last season, and others in that race have boosted the form since. Freedom Falls is also noted, having put up two good efforts at the Curragh last season.

SELECTION: RUN RAN RUN

Next best: Red Letter Bray

2.00 Compas Stallions Handicap 6f

Half Nutz is taken to gain another course and distance win. Switched from Johnny Murtagh to Ado McGuinness in the off season, the six-year-old ran well on his debut for the latter earlier this month at Dundalk - missing the break but running on nicely to finish a close-up fifth. He is well exposed and a mark of 83 doesn’t leave much room to manouevre but he has a fitness edge over most of his rivals and proven ability at the course.

Safari Quest is most interesting, taking a significant step down in trip on his stable debut for Tony Martin. He won an extended nine-furlong maiden at Gowran Park for Ger Lyons last season and Colin Keane, who rode him then, has been booked for the mount. Sounds Of Spring looks reasonably handicapped off a mark of 71 and is noted also, given his win on heavy ground at the Curragh in October.

SELECTION: HALF NUTZ

Next best: Safari Quest

2.35 Far Above At Compas

Stallions Handicap 5f

It might be worth chancing Bang Po for Ross O’Sullivan. He only ran three times last season but seemed to improve for each of those starts. He was fourth to Tooprofitable on heavy ground at the Curragh on his latest start, so he should handle the conditions, and he ought to be competitive off an opening mark of 67, especially if he can step forward again.

A few of his rivals have race fitness on side, which could be key in this ground. Not Too Real Bad and Senado Square look the pick of them, with slight preference for the former. She has been in good form at Dundalk through the winter and, though she is coming off a mini break, she could well continue her progress, having hit the frame on all four of her last starts.

SELECTION: BANG PO

Next best: Not Too Real Bad

3.10 King Of Change Handicap 7f

Laughifuwant is definitely interesting off a mark of 87 - his lowest assessment in four years - and he has loads of good form on heavy ground. That said, it’s significant that Colin Keane rides his father’s other horse and stable debutant Crystal Black. He was third in the Northfields Handicap off a mark of 90 for Dermot Weld two seasons ago so could be nicely treated now off 83. His ability to handle the likely heavy ground is a concern but his dam won several times on a soft surface so that is encouraging.

Paul Flynn’s Plunkett has a reasonable record fresh and that could be key in this contest, with the majority starting off their seasons. The six-year-old won on his first start last season and though he is 20lb higher in the weights, he was competitive off mid-80 marks several times since. He handles this sort of ground so should put up a solid run again, and it might be enough for another win.

SELECTION: CRYSTAL BLACK

Next best: Plunkett

3.45 Irish Racing Writers Carmel Kirwan And Loretta O’Hanlon Memorial Madrid Handicap 7f

Panic Alarm can add another course-and-distance win to his CV, having taken the valuable Irish EBF Auction Final here in October. The son of Kuroshio was backing up a good effort to break his maiden at Down Royal and earlier in the season he showed form in good maidens - not least when fourth to Tough Talk, Little Big Bear and Shartash at the Curragh. A mark of 95 looks workable.

The Ballydoyle duo of Paddington and Londoner offer a significant threat. Ryan Moore prefers the former, who was a comfortable winner of a Curragh maiden in October. Londoner has a very similar profile, winning on his second start at Dundalk, and shouldn’t be discounted. Jim Bolger’s Trachonitus is also noted having won on his sixth and final start last season in heavy ground conditions at the Curragh. Like plenty of these, he has scope to improve further now at three.

SELECTION: PANIC ALARM

Next best: Trachonitus

4.20 Plusvital Devoy Stakes (Listed) 1m 2f

Martinstown is taken to lay down a marker for the season. Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old was a taking winner of a 10-furlong maiden at Cork last July, gradually running down three smart horses while himself learning on the job. He probably ran close to a rating of 100 on that occasion and, while he hasn’t been seen since, he has lots of scope to improve into a solid group-race performer now. His dam Alive Alive Oh acted on soft ground so that should give him a chance.

Self Belief is a talented gelding, having won two of his three starts, including the Listed Trigo Stakes when last seen in October. He is top-rated here but it won’t be easy conceding weight all around. Sunchart may be able to make his fitness count. He didn’t make many waves on two hurdles starts but he’s a solid operator on the flat and will be suited if this turns into a strong test of stamina.

SELECTION: MARTINSTOWN

Next best: Sunchart

4.55 Dubawi Legend Irish EBF Fillies Maiden 1m

Red Riding Hood should be difficult to beat in this maiden. She only made her debut late last season, and was very promising when second to Alseyoob at Ascot, racing greenly but picking up well to make late progress in the closing stages. A daughter of Justify and with all the fancy entries, she should improve to win this comfortably.

Her stablemate Jackie Oh can chase her home on debut. She is beautifully bred, a daughter of Galileo and 1000 Guineas runner-up Jacqueline Quest, so it’s not difficult to see her showing some sort of spark here first time out.

SELECTION: RED RIDING HOOD

Next best: Jackie Oh

5.25 Naas Median Auction Race 1m

Serious Challenge has shown enough on three starts to suggest he should win this contest. Jim Bolger’s gelding beat the well bred and well touted Hiawatha on his second start at Galway and was fourth in the Champions Juvenile Stakes when last seen. A replication of those efforts would most likely be enough for him to score again here, notwithstanding any further improvement he may have.

Zoinnocent looked promising on her first three starts last season but failed to really build on that. Sprewell might be worth chancing. She improved from her debut to find only the promising Sierra Blanca too good in a Curragh maiden on heavy ground.

SELECTION: SERIOUS CHALLENGE

Next best: Sprewell