Queen out to claim her throne Ballybacka Queen came into this meeting last year as a live outsider for the 1,000 Guineas and returns to the Curragh aiming to scoop a nice pot in the N Conlan & Sons BMW Handicap. Pat Fahy's charge ran on strongly to finish third in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown last year but failed to make much impression in the Classic subsequently. She was highly tried last term and a drop back into handicap company at Leopardstown a fortnight ago yielded rewards. The Hurricane Run filly sprang a 25-1 shock under Donnacha O'Brien and will now bid to follow up in this 50,000 contest, as long as the ground doesn't turn fast. "She's in good form but I wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much," said Fahy. "If it changed to good to firm she wouldn't like it and that's my only fear. She won't stride out on it. She put in a full season on it last year and won't do it again. "Hopefully it stays the way it is as she's in top form. I'm hoping for a shower or two on the Curragh. "I was happy enough with the rise she got (4lb) and always knew whatever we got we were going to claim it back with Donnacha. "That was really the secret to winning at Leopardstown. He's a top claimer and gave her an exceptional ride. The 7lb is a big help." Looking ahead to the rest of the season Fahy again stressed that ground will play a big part in her targets. He said: "It's all a case of the ground. If the races come up and the ground is right we'll have a go. We might even up her in trip a little as we go on. She seems to get the mile and a half well and maybe even further." Theophilus, who chased her home last time at Leopardstown, reopposes with the 4lb pull and is entitled to make it tougher for the filly. Fog Of War, who ran out a good winner in a conditions event at Dundalk recently, heads the weights after being raised 10lb for that victory. A field of 12 juveniles are set to go to post for the opening Big Bad Bob European Breeders Fund Maiden, with the Jim Bolger-trained Tribal Beat perhaps the best of those with previous experience. The son of Street Cry was fourth in the very first two-year-old maiden of the season behind the smart State Of Emergency and normal improvement will make him hard to beat, although newcomers from the yards of Aidan O'Brien and Mick Halford are worth a market check. Admirable veteran Bubbly Bellini features in the K Club Hotel, Spa & Ryder Cup Venue Handicap, although whether he turns out quickly after winning at Cork on Friday remains to be seen.
