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THE Classic series of 2025 takes us to Ireland both today and tomorrow with two fascinating mile contests at the Curragh. Following an elongated dry spell, rain is forecast for the area through the weekend, so the least we can expect is decent good ground depending on how isolated the showers are.

Those words should be music to the ears of the connections of FIELD OF GOLD (3.40) who bids to make up for his fast finishing second in the Newmarket version. To a certain extent Shoemark rightfully shouldered a proportion of the blame, outrode by Buick, but this track will surely suit him so much better than headquarters and Colin Keane knows the layout of this famous turf track better than most.

If the track doesn’t get too much rain then Cosmic Year is sure to give him a run for his money, while I feel sure that Scorthy Champ is so much better than his seventh in the first colts’ classic. I think that he was ridden way too forcefully that day by Dylan Browne McMonagle and it will be interesting if he retains the mount here. The dark entry is Hotazhell, a top-class juvenile, but reportedly slow to come to hands this season. The word is that the son of Too Darn Hot has started to flourish in the past couple of weeks, but he will need to be at his peak to land this after 210-days off the track.

I am really keen on the claims of PRESENCE (4.15) in the big one-mile premier handicap. With Keithen Kennedy claiming 5lbs off her back, the bay filly is now fully 8lbs lower than when 13^th of the 16 runners in a Cork handicap over an extended mile-and-a-quarter. Two factors conspired against her that day. First, she was left out in front and, second, even though she had the run of the race, her early exertions told in the final furlong and she patently failed to stay. 

A course and distance winner, the four-year-old is surely worth another chance back over her optimum trip off this new mark. I make the likes of Slieve Binnian and the top weight Coeur d’Or as her biggest dangers for this big purse.

Elsewhere on the card, the Clive Cox-trained SHAMEFUL (5.25) can bounce back from a disappointing run at Kempton Park last time out, while I will be having a few bucks on each-way shot GRAND GREY (3.05) in the Group Two Greenlands Stakes.

Sunday’s Irish 1,000 Guineas looks a conundrum despite having a short-priced favourite in the form of Newmarket sixth Lake Victoria. However, at around 11/10 I am prepared to oppose her with an each-way play on CITY OF MEMPHIS. Pat Twomey’s filly was expected to win a Cork maiden going off at 8/13 and duly won on the bridle. Of course, that run is a million miles away from this fillies’ classic, but she looks a very classy sort and looks too big a price to leave alone.

Back to Saturday on home shores and the three-year-old handicap at Haydock Park, the Silver Bowl, looks a tough race to call with 14 runners set to go to post. Likely favourite King Casper won very readily at Newmarket, but I think that he was somewhat flattered by racing up top and a 9lbs penalty here makes things a lot more difficult.

It is a race marked by the fact that there is plenty in the face including the progressive Teroomm and the Charlie Johnston-trained Thunder Wonder, but a better value play surely has to be TRANSPARENT. Three lengths off King Casper at Newmarket, the son of Mehmas has a 7lbs pull in the weights and Rossa Ryan will be able to execute a more patient ride from stall number nine.

Lattam would be a player in the opener at 1.15 if enough rain hits the track early on, but in the likely event that it doesn’t happen then EMPIRESTATEOFMIND (nap) could surprise a few here. The seven-year-old needed the run in the Spring Mile at Doncaster and back on a mark down below 90 makes him a massive player in a race with plenty of strength in depth.

It goes without saying that a welterweight of rain would also suit Vadream in the Group Three Temple Stakes, but RUMSTAR (3.30) may once again have her number. He travelled through the Palace House Stakes by far the best horse in the race and only now seems to be maturing both physically and mentally. This of course is a better race than the one at Newmarket and I make Starlust the biggest danger from the in-form Ralph Beckett yard.

At the back end of the card have a second look at PERSIAN SPIRIT (4.10) to run over the likely favourite Maelstrom. The last named took plenty of time to overturn Boyne Lady over the course and distance last time out, so the selection may well get first run on his rival with Joe Leavy’s claim taking back down to a 1lb lower mark.

With Goodwood’s ground already on the soft side of good and a bit more rain expected, conditions are highly likely to suit BRIGHTON BOY (1.30) in the opening seven-furlong event. The Andrew Balding-trained runner had a cracking first season, winning off a mark of 82 before runner-up in a valuable sales race at Newmarket.

Late on, STAR OF LIGHT (3.15) may well be worth another chance in the Listed Height of Fashion Stakes. She was way too keen at Kempton last time out and these conditions in a bigger field could suit her better.

Loughville looks sure to run well under top weight in the mile-and-three-quarter handicap at 3.45, but even her consistency off a career high mark may not be enough to successfully give away 12lbs to ANZAC DAY. 

Andrew Balding regarded him as a potentially smart three-year-old last year, but an injury put him out for the season. 

He returned with a very promising fourth in a Kempton novice over a mile-and-a-quarter when outpaced at a crucial stage before running on late in the day. Very stoutly bred, the son of Australia is potentially very well handicapped off a mark of 88 and could well be one of the best bets of the day.