At The Races

The impeccably-bred PERFORMANCE is taken to make a winning debut. A full brother to Italian Oaks scorer Contredanse, he is probably going to want further in time but testing ground should make this a stiff enough test and multiple Group 1 entries suggest that he has been showing plenty at home. His main danger may come in the shape of another newcomer, Dermot Weld's Scent Of Roses. The offspring of Invincible Spirit cost 87,000 euros and, like the selection, is entered to run in a couple of top prizes later this year. Indigo Ridge will be hoping to make experience count but the form of her debut third over this C&D last month looks fairly suspect.

• Top Tip: PERFORMANCE (2)
• Watch out for: SCENT OF ROSES (5)

It could pay to side with handicap debutant IMAGINATIONRUNWILD. Andrew Oliver's filly confirmed promise shown on debut when readily landing her maiden over 7f at Down Royal (runner-up has won since) and, with this drop in trip not a concern, she seems sure go close off an opening mark of 80. Possible has been stung with a 9lb rise in the ratings for her victory over the minimum trip at Naas last month, but she's open to plenty of further improvement and commands respect. Battleroftheboyne shouldn't be too far away if in the same mood as when beaten half-a-length into second at the Curragh last Sunday.

• Top Tip: IMAGINATIONRUNWILD (1)
• Watch out for: POSSIBLE (4)

This looks a great opportunity for likeable veteran BORDERLESCOTT to regain the winning thread. A dual Group 1 winner, he showed that he maintains plenty of his old ability when fourth in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock and forecast soft conditions this afternoon won't inconvenience him. Another that goes through the ground and has strong claims is Gossamer Seed. She has returned this year looking better than ever and should mount a bold bid if not taken off her feet (recent win and placed efforts in Group 3 company have come over 7f and 6f), while Roicead improved throughout last season and is interesting now returning.

• Top Tip: BORDERLESCOTT (4)
• Watch out for: GOSSAMER SEED (3)

John Oxx isn't one to throw his horses in at the deep end if he doesn't think they're capable of being competitive and a chance is taken on his EBALVIYRA. Although it was only a maiden she won first time out at Tipperary last month, the form of that race looks rock-solid, with the second, fourth and ninth all winning since, and she looks certain to improve for this extra three furlongs. Sapphire clearly benefitted from the step up to this trip when readily landing a Listed event at the Curragh in October and makes plenty of appeal on her return to action, while Betterbetterbetter wasn't beaten too far in the Investec Oaks, despite only managing an eighth place finish, and cannot be ruled out either.

• Top Tip: EBALVIYRA (6)
• Watch out for: SAPPHIRE (2)

Plenty of these look to have chances and FLORRY KNOX receives what is only a tentative vote. Pat Flynn's four-year-old showed that he is all about stamina when coming from a long way back to comfortably beat subsequent winner The Fox Tully over 1m2f at Clonmel last time and, with this extra couple of furlongs seen as more of a help than a hinderance, he could defy a 12lb rise in the ratings. Knockcroghery has been running well in both codes recently and looks certain to give another good account, while Lough Ferrib won going away over 1m2f at Fairyhouse on Wednesday and warrants plenty of respect under a 5lb penalty.

• Top Tip: FLORRY KNOX (3)
• Watch out for: KNOCKCROGHERY (2)

Plenty with claims but POTOMAC makes most appeal. The lightly-raced Shamardal gelding, a Southwell maiden scorer when in the care of John Gosden, has made an encouraging start for current connections, posting a fifth at Gowran before a creditable third to Pivot Bridge at Leopardstown earlier this month. He gets another chance off the same mark and the slightly drop in distance may work the oracle. C&D winner Bold Thady Quill was back in the groove at Naas earlier in the month and isn't handicapped out of this off 6lb higher, while chances can also be given to Super Say and Maundy Money.

• Top Tip: POTOMAC (8)
• Watch out for: BOLD THADY QUILL (7)

FIRETHORN stands out in light of his highly encouraging debut effort, when beaten half a length into third over 1m at Navan last month. He made most of the running that day so is clearly expected to stay this extra yardage, at least, and any improvement on that introductory performance will make him extremely tough to beat. Jumbo Prado is a little more exposed after three starts already, but he's earned a mark of 70 in the process and appears capable of picking up a race before long. The rest have questions to answer but a market move for newcomer Naughty would have to be taken seriously.

• Top Tip: FIRETHORN (6)
• Watch out for: JUMBO PRADO (8)

Listowel maiden winner ANGEL BRIGHT bounced back from a miserable comeback effort at Killarney to post an encouraging third over 1m at Navan earlier this month. Having gone down by just half a length after being headed close home that day, the daughter of Dark Angel is sure to appreciate the drop back to 7f, and a 1lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to stop her here. Danequest makes plenty of appeal from near the foot of the weights, but C&D scorer One Of Three is expected to put up most resistance.

• Top Tip: ANGEL BRIGHT (4)
• Watch out for: ONE OF THREE (5)