At The Races

Aidan O'Brien-trained horses invariably progress from an initial run and AIKHAL may go one better following a promising debut at Cork. The son of Galileo is the first foal out of the Group 3 winner Diamond Fields, herself a half-sister to Irish Derby winner Latrobe, and he made most of the running when going down by just half-a-length to Confident Star earlier this month. That form looks solid and he's preferred to the more experienced Sen Ding, who had Golden Beach and Good Heavens behind when narrowly denied at Gowran Park last time. Any market move for Auriela would be interesting.

• Top Tip: AIKHAL (1)
• Watch out for: SEN DING (8)

PIMSTREL seems to reserve her best form for Gowran Park having caused a 100/1 shock when winning on testing ground last year and again on her belated reappearance on Saturday beating all bar Dusty Winds. On the plus side for her chances here, she ran well on her only previous visit to this venue in a juvenile maiden, handles soft ground and is obviously in good form at present. Youceeyouceecee won over course and distance off a mark of 72 and most of his seven career wins have been gained on soft ground, while the hat-trick seeking Skontonovski and Florence Thompson are others to consider. Cloch Liath has indicated some ability recently in handicaps and has more scope for improvement than many of these, while Champagne Breath has run better than her recent form figures would suggest.

• Top Tip: PIMSTREL (14)
• Watch out for: YOUCEEYOUCEECEE (8)

DROMBEG DUKE hasn't fared well with a wide draw but there was plenty to like about his latest effort at Dundalk. The Approve gelding won twice for Austin Leahy over this trip including on testing ground at Gowran Park and was having his first start for Eoin McCarthy after a three-month break when making eye-catching late headway on the polytrack. The local trainer has probably had this meeting as the main target. Talking Tough won twice last year and is certainly competitive off his current mark as evidenced by decent placed efforts at Roscommon and Galway. Hot Bell is interesting on her handicap debut with Ben Coen's brother Jake, who scored on his first ride at Naas last month, good value for his 10lb claim.

• Top Tip: DROMBEG DUKE (9)
• Watch out for: TALKING TOUGH (2)

MUTASARREF made a promising start over this trip at Naas and looked sure to justify good market support when stepped up to a mile at Leopardstown last month only to be pipped on the line by River Derwent. This drop back to seven should suit, the application of cheek-pieces may help to concentrate his efforts while some cut in the ground shouldn't be an issue being by Dark Angel. Indulging stepped up considerably from his only juvenile start when reappearing at Navan in May. The bare form of that close-up fourth to Charterhouse reads well, although it is of some concern that he has not been seen since. Stately Home and Mickey The Steel will not lack for experience, while Equus Deus came up against a smart newcomer at Navan and can't be lightly discounted.

• Top Tip: MUTASARREF (13)
• Watch out for: INDULGING (8)

EMILIE GRAY was impressive when opening her account at Galway and may be able to follow up here in handicap company despite a hike for that victory. The beautifully-bred daughter of Dubawi had some solid maiden form before putting it altogether to record an easy eight-and-a-half length last time. She went up 10lb for that success but connections were talking about black-type afterwards so she may still have a few pounds in hand. Petticoat Rule has been very consistent this season and after another good effort to finish runner-up at Gowran last time she is another leading contender. Likewise Maud Gonne Spirit has been a model of consistency lately and she also has to be on the shortlist.

• Top Tip: EMILIE GRAY (4)
• Watch out for: MAUD GONNE SPIRIT (6)

This has a wide open look to it but ROCA ROMA may prove the answer. The daughter of Australia ran really well last time when stepping back up to stakes company, chasing home the highly progressive Pearls Galore in the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary. That form obviously looks strong now with the winner narrowly denied in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Champions Day. Ado McGuinness has Casanova in the form of his life and the Frankel gelding won well when taking a decent little conditions race at Fairyhouse a week ago. He has gone up to a mark of 99 since that victory and doesn't have a lot to find in this company now. His stable-mate Saltonstall is top rated in the field and he commands respect also. The seven-year-old wasn't beaten far despite finishing tenth in a highly competitive handicap at the Curragh on Champions Weekend.

• Top Tip: ROCA ROMA (7)
• Watch out for: CASANOVA (1)

BUTTERFLY ISLAND sports first time headgear and that may help to get her over the line now. The Acclamation filly was a touch unlucky when just denied at Bellewstown four weeks ago and is fancied to turn the tables now on the winner Capitulation. The selection is a pound better off and from a low draw should be able to bag a nice position. Snapius has run solid races in a couple of decent conditions events on his most recent starts and has to be respected under top-weight. Tut Tut represents the in-form Harrington yard and has been dropped a couple of pounds after fading late on in a Curragh nursery last time. He is another that has to come into the mix.

• Top Tip: BUTTERFLY ISLAND (3)
• Watch out for: SNAPIUS (1)

COMFORT LINE ran well in a decent conditions race at Fairyhouse last time and looks capable of landing a handicap off his current mark. The grey was third to Casanova a week ago and a big run from that horse in the feature event a couple of races earlier would be a boost to his chances. Star Harbour wasn't beaten far in a highly competitive handicap at the Curragh on his last outing and could be a big player in this company. Dragon Of Malta landed a gamble at Galway a fortnight ago and went up 9lb for that victory. The form looks solid enough with the runner-up placed again since.

• Top Tip: COMFORT LINE (4)
• Watch out for: DRAGON OF MALTA (13)