Michael O'Callaghan expects Rapid Applause to improve for the run when he makes his first appearance in over three months in the Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The three-year-old proved his worth in esteemed company as a juvenile last season, running well in the Railway Stakes in June before placed efforts in the Anglesey Stakes at this corresponding fixture 12 months ago and the Round Tower Stakes.

He disappointed upon his return to action in the Listed Patton Stakes at Dundalk on April 1, but was subsequently found to have been under the weather.

O'Callaghan said: " He was very sick after his first run of the year in Dundalk and it has just taken a time for him to come right.

"He's been off a good while and is a big, three-year-old colt, so I expect him to improve for the run.

"It's like starting back after a winter off all over again, so I'm sure he'll come on for it and it's a nice place to start."

The Brendan Powell-trained Dark Emerald won two valuable prizes at the Dubai Carnival at Meydan and was not beaten far upon his return from a break in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last month.

Powell said: "He's improved a lot since Ascot, where he ran a very good race for seven furlongs before getting tired.

"It's a tough race on Sunday, but he's fit and he's well and the ground doesn't make any difference to him, so we're looking forward to it."