13:55 Curragh

Last year’s winner MICKEY THE STEEL (best priced at 6/1) runs here off a 3lb lower mark and comes into the race off the back of a victory at Navan just over a week ago. The Joseph Murray trained six-year-old defied odds of 14/1 to win this contest off a mark of 89 last season on heavy ground and was only beaten 4 ¾ lengths off a mark of 88 here in April.

Mickey The Steel won at Navan last time off a mark of 80 under 7lb claimer Rory Mulligan and he runs here off a mark of 86 this year. The soft ground is no concern and he looks sure to be involved in the finish with up to five places available.

15:35 Curragh

William Haggas has a good record when bringing runners over to Ireland with a 25% strike rate in the past five years showing a +9.33pt profit to a £1 stake. Their stable favourite HAMISH (best priced at 5/4) won on his reappearance at Newbury before finishing 2nd in the Group 1 Coronation Cup behind Luxembourg. He disappointed on his next two starts but they were on faster ground at Newmarket and on the AW at Kempton before bouncing back when 2nd by ½ length behind Goliath in a Group 2 in France. 

Hamish has to concede 5lbs to Layfayette but that still leaves him 5lbs clear on weight adjusted ratings and he should prove hard to beat under Richard Kingscote.