Riven Light, left© Photo Healy Racing
Fourteen have been declared for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Ragusa' Handicap, the feature race on the opening day of the Derby Festival at the Curragh.
Smart hurdler Riven Light is sure to attract plenty of support for this mile-and-a-half contest, with his trainer Willie Mullins booking Pat Smullen for the ride.
The son of Raven's Pass won twice on the level when trained in France and looks potentially well treated here off a mark of 90. Tipstaff was third in a Listed contest at Cork on his last start and should give a good account of himself in first-time cheekpieces.
Tony Martin, who excels in these valuable handicaps, is represented by Landsman and Sweet Company while Cork Derby runner-up Spruce Meadows and the Ger Lyons duo of Mawaany and Sandstorming are other leading contenders.
Lyons saddles Gold Spinner in the Silken Thomas & Lock 13 Handicap, with the son of Pivotal being the highest-rated runner in the line-up having won his last two at Cork and Navan.
Ulster Derby winner Clongowes provides stiff opposition, while Madrid Handicap victor Gino Severini and Veneer Of Charm both look to have solid claims.
Michael O'Callaghan trains the latter, and his Ma Fee Heela should run well in the six-furlong JOE.ie Handicap.
The French-bred colt was second at Limerick last Friday and another good effort can be expected from him here with Smullen in the saddle.
The Hackett Apprentice Derby looks an ultra-competitive affair, with dual course and distance winner Zeftan the Joseph O'Brien-trained Thomas O'Malley and eight-time winner Bayan a few for the shortlist. Happily who is a full-sister to Gleneagles, should come on plenty for her debut effort and can be expected to go close in the opening Westgrove Hotel Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
The well-bred Ringside Support is an interesting contender in the Her.ie Irish EBF Maiden, while Aasheq who is tried in a visor for the first time, is the standout name in the Chapman's Mitsubishi Irish EBF Maiden.
