IRISH INSIDER

15:50 Naas The Madrid handicap is always an intriguing contest with eight of the twelve runners having their first run in a handicap. Markaz Paname and West Coast who both hold ratings of 97 means there are lots of horses with light weights to carry. Ger Lyons’ charge was a smooth winner on debut before going close in a conditions event at Dundalk. Like many of these, he’s open to further improvement and this Group 3 entrant should be difficult to beat. It took West Coast three attempts to shed his maiden tag and even though he’s clearly well-bred I’d be looking elsewhere. Course and distance winner Joe Masseria is of some interest but he’d appreciate more of an ease in the ground. Fozzy Stack’s John The Baptist is the only runner to bring recent form to the table and should have a fitness advantage over his rivals. This free-going type was last of eight runners at Dundalk earlier in the month but was beaten less than five lengths in a Group 2 last season and should appreciate the drop down in distance, so shouldn’t be discounted. JOHN THE BAPTIST (E/W)

16:25 Naas Patrick Sarsfield is well treated by the race conditions and must be given a serious chance, considering his decent record when fresh and that he wasn't beaten far in the Irish Champion Stakes last season, That being said he hasn’t won a race in nearly two years which dampens enthusiasm. The once-raced Licence is a fascinating runner for Juddmonte, Ger Lyons and Champion jockey Colin Keane. The son of Frankel was a facile winner on debut but that was nearly a year ago and something must have gone amiss in the interim. The likeable Barrington Court is a dual-listed winner who’ll run a solid race but the drying ground would be a concern and you’d hope something in this field could progress past her. Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien team up with Cleveland who we haven’t seen since November 2020 but again connections might be concerned by the dry forecast, given he won on heavy and he’s obviously had issues. Last season's Lincoln winner Layfayette is of interest given he won fresh last season but the lack of headgear would be a negative but I’m sure Noel Meade knows what he’s doing. LAYFAYETTE (E/W) written by Peter Keogh