Christophe Soumillon has his first taste of Irish racing at the Curragh this afternoon and the top young Belgian rider can make an immediate impression on Hanami in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes.
It's also a first ride on the James Toller trained filly for Soumillon and this Group 2 has a history of rewarding cross-channel visitors just short of the top class.
There doesn't appear any other conclusion for Hanami who ran well in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks only to fall short both times.
Falling was actually something she only just managed to avoid in the Guineas behind Six Perfections where, significantly, there was some cut in the ground.
That can only be of help to Hanami today as will the drop back to a mile and a quarter. The other British raiders, Stage Shy and Zee Zee Top, may have more problems with the going and the home team doesn't appear exceptionally strong.
Kevin Prendergast, successful in recent years in this race with Polaire and Rebelline, runs both Cat Belling and Jakarta Jade, who may be the best of them.
Soumillon's other mount ahead of Dalakhani's Derby challenge is Rayshan who was taken out of the classic yesterday in favour of the Group 3 Curragh Cup.
He is one of four three-year-olds who take on the Stakes winning older horses Ice Dancer and Queens Wharf but with Mick Kinane electing to ride Arundel over Ice Dancer the edge should be with the youngsters.
Maharib justified some stable confidence at Limerick last time out and should be OK on the testing ground conditions.
The opening two-year-old maiden features the first start of Rock Of Gibraltar's full brother, Rock Of Cashel.
However, he appears the stable second string behind the Storm Cat newcomer The Mighty Tiger who in turn will do well to cope with the racecourse experience of Clock Tower.
It's a cliché to keep an eye on the Con Collins yard on classic weekends but he keeps justifying its use and maybe Mainly Mine can keep the trend going in the Summer Handicap.
A distance winner already, Mainly Mine did well to get so close to Assigh Lady over six furlongs last time out and looks an each way option in a tight handicap.
The Grand Lodge colt Middlemarch gets a first start in the mile maiden and this is a three-year-old held in some regard in Ballydoyle.
