cork 7th Apr

Cork's three-day Easter Festival kicks off on Saturday and the highlight of day one is the Cork Stakes.

Katla finished runner-up in this Listed contest 12 months ago but has ground to make up on her last-start Dundalk conqueror Timeless Call.

The three-year-olds could hold sway, though, with Tough As Nails, An Ghalanta and Experience all making the frame in Graded company last year, and Limetree Lady also of interest at the foot of the weights.

Jim Bolger's juveniles have hit the ground running and he is reponsible for Sceilg, who has a Ballydoyle newcomer in Infanta Branca to take on in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Bolger's Empress Of Rome has shown precious little but, as a result, steps outside of maiden company for the first time on a lowly rating, and a much improved performance in the Mallow.ie Apprentice Handicap wouldn't be the biggest surprise.

Robin Hood's comeback success earned him a couple of big-race entries and Aidan O'Brien lets him take his chance off top weight in the Friday Evening Racing Handicap, possibly on the way to much better things.

Edward Lynam has lofty ambitions for Slade Power, and he returns to competitive action in the opening Mallow Town Summer BBQ Evening July 13th Handicap at 2.20.

Seanie is chief among the opposition and he beat Absolute Crackers to a big sales prize at Fairyhouse last year, with the second going on to fill the runner-up berth in Listed company. She now makes her reappearance in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The well-related Speaking Of Which made an encouraging beginning to his career at the Curragh, and that just about sets the standard in a potentially informative Best Dressed Lady & Gent (C & G) Maiden, in which Derby entry Alindjar, a half-brother to classy stable companion Alanza, is an interesting newcomer.