Out of his depth in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby last time, Chiricahua should get off the mark in the finale at Down Royal.
The Camelot colt dropped away to beat just one rival in the Curragh classic. But the fact trainer Ger Lyons considered him good enough to take his chance speaks for itself.
And, having missed an intended engagement at Naas on Wednesday due to ground conditions, the Glenburnie colt, runner-up on both starts as a juvenile, should be tough to beat here.
Runner-up to Degraves on his belated debut in Navan last October, he was then narrowly beaten by Nobel Prize on the same track four weeks later.
Rated 82, he should be good enough to land a maiden over a mile and a half. This looks an ideal opportunity.
Lyons (bidding to win the race for the first time since 2004) and Colin Keane also have definite prospects with the lightly-raced Baby Zeus in the feature, the Boylesports Ulster Derby.
A narrow winner on his debut in Killarney and subsequently beaten by Raven’s Cry on the same track, this colt was an eye-catcher when fourth to subsequent Group 3 winner Delphi on his seasonal bow in Navan. Expected to improve plenty, he has a big shout in a competitive three-year-old handicap.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly Elizabethofaragon bolted-up in a low-level handicap at Leopardstown recent and, although raised 14lb, she should still figure prominently in the Boylesports Ulster Oaks.
Johnny Murtagh has double prospects with Tipperary winner Measure Of Magic in the opening juvenile event and She’s Our Queen, who has Toora Loora to beat in the fillies maiden.
In Cork, Karl Thornton’s Shanroe might complete a hat-trick, under top-weight, in the Dromahane Handicap Hurdle.
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Down Royal
1.00. Measure Of Magic
1.30. Earls
2.00. She’s Our Queen
2.35. Elizabethofaragon
3.10. Shumaker
3.45. Baby Zeus
4.20. Chiricahua (Nap)
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Cork
4.05. Guinevere
4.40. Yafordadoe
5.15. Shanroe
5.45. Nero Ro ck
6.15. Deauville So ciety
6.45. My Lovely Bo y
7.15. Pilbara
7.45. Finest Evermore
