All eyes will be on the Curragh where the 2011 Flat season gets underway and Tommy Stack, who began last term in sparkling form, bids to land the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud E.B.F. Park Express Stakes for the second year running, this time with Lolly For Dolly
The Oratorio filly, who hasn't been seen since finishing a creditable fifth in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes in June, is expected to relish the drop back in trip and in class and she has already tasted success at this level at the Curragh.
She faces stiff competition in the shape of Termagant the 2009 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner who only raced once last year, and Aidan O'Brien's Gemstone an impressive Listed winner over C & D before his winter break.
A wide-open www.thetote.com Irish Lincolnshire is next on the card and Richard Fahey, another trainer who was on fire at the start of the last campaign, has a strong hand with Kyllachy Star and Our Joe Mac
The latter made good progress as a three-year-old and has conditions to suit on his first visit to Ireland.
English handler Kevin Ryan also sends two across the Irish sea for this valuable prize, the pick of which may be Steed who arrives on the back of a five-timer on the all-weather this winter, while Dermot Weld leads the home challenge with the promising Photo Opportunity
The remarkably consistent Luisant is likely to be a warm order for the Newbridge & Ocala Twinning Handicap after signing off 2010 with a Listed triumph, although he is unlikely to have it all his own way with Dermot Weld's Group 3 winner Libano in opposition.
The seven-race card commences at 2.35 with the Tally Ho Stud European Breeders Fund Maiden, in which Lost City who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, is sure to attract plenty of attention on his racecourse bow, while the closing Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F Maiden sees Jim Bolger's attractively-bred Claiomh Solais take her first steps on a racecourse.
