14:10 Curragh

MICKEY THE STEEL (best priced at 11/2) is the top-rated in this maiden and despite having to concede some weight to the three-year-olds, I expect him to finally get off the mark in this race. The Joseph Murray trained gelding has placed 10 times in his 22 race career but is yet to get his head in front. He was only beaten ½ length on his reappearance at Naas in March before finishing a neck 2nd over this course and distance in May. Both of those runs came in handicaps off a mark of 78 and he has since finished 2nd once again at Fairyhouse back in maiden company.

Mickey The Steel was outclassed in the Scurry Handicap last time but he was only 4 ½ length behind Mr Wagyu and a repeat of that performance could still prove good enough to win this maiden.

Mickey The Steel - 0.5pts e/w @ 11/2

15:48 Ripon

MARK'S CHOICE NAP (best priced at 11/2) is a seven-time course winner at Ripon who saves his best for this track. The six-year-old ran a fantastic race in the Great St Wilfrid handicap on his stable debut for Adrian Keatley when finishing a close 3rd despite running from 10lbs out of the handicap. He then finished a neck 2nd at Hamilton off a mark of 75 before winning over this course and distance off a mark of 81 by 1 ¼ lengths showing bravery to squeeze through a gap late on.

Mark’s Choice struggled in the Ayr Gold Cup last time having been bumped at the start but he was out of the handicap that day and now races here off a mark of 85. That is the same mark as when finishing a close 3rd in the Great St Wilfrid earlier this season and I expect him to run well yet again at this track with up to four places available. 

Mark’s Choice - 1pt e/w @ 6/1

15:55 Curragh

The Nick Stokes trained CURRAHEEN PRINCESS (best priced at 5/1) has been incredibly consistent this season and this progressive four-year-old is expected to run well over 5f once again. She has form figures of 9112221 in 2022 with her improving 20lbs in that time.

Curraheen Princess is usually held up behind the leaders in her races but made all last time at Navan to win by ¾ lengths and that versatility will help Joe Doyle in this big field handicap. She races here off only 3lbs higher than her latest success and with five places widely available on the race, I expect her to be involved in the finish.

Curraheen Princess - 0.5pts e/w @ 5/1