If any Irish racegoer thought they could draw a breath after the Galway blowout, then forget it, because this afternoon's double stint at Cork and Naas is a just a prelude to the busiest week of the year.
There are two other double fixtures in the week ahead, bringing the number of meetings to 10. The accusation of overkill is easy to make, but maybe a victory for Islandagore in the Sri Pekan Platinum Stakes at Cork can make the congestion seem more tolerable.
The £25,000, nine furlong Listed event is the Bank Holiday feature, and while hardly the last chance saloon for those hunting black type, it is the kind of race where established but disappointing names can be opposed.
One of those is the £2 million-plus buy Shakespeare, who looked to have everything in his favour at the Curragh last time but ended up well beaten by Fantasia Girl. Aidan O'Brien's charge is a track winner, but considering he was touted initially as a Derby prospect he can only be classed as disappointing.
The Park Stakes winner Theoretically ran a nice race behind Preseli on her first start this year, but since then has flopped in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. She's conceding weight to the colts today and is dropping back in distance and can be opposed too.
Islandagore, in contrast, has run just the once, but the Indian Ridge filly won at Gowran in May with the subsequent winners Awesome Strike and Siamsa in behind. The form is not out standing, but she is the one unexposed horse in the race and, coming from the John Oxx yard, has to be feared.
Aidan O'Brien introduces a reputedly smart Storm Cat colt, Black Minnaloushe, in the opener at Cork, while Distinguished Cove, fourth to Goldstreet at the Curragh after a less-than-clear run in the closing stages, is marginally preferred in the £15,000 10-furlong handicap.
The top race at Naas is the £10,500, seven-furlong maiden, where the Ballydoyle camp unveil the newcomer Flamelight. Backing the O'Brien hotpots has proved an expensive pastime in recent weeks, and maybe Flamelight can be opposed with Factice Royal.
Her trainer, Kevin Prendergast, sent out Monty Wolley to overturn Hadrian's Wall on Saturday, and Factice Royal has a nice run behind Softly Tread and Cashel Palace at Gowran to her credit.
Imperial Light has proved an expensive type to follow this year but can finally get off the mark in the maiden. The mile trip looks best for the horse and some of his form, such as a Curragh run behind Pillars Of Society and a second to Kerataka, entitles him to win a race like this.
Molly-O was run off her feet by Monitor over the course and distance of the Johnstown Handicap before getting only just inched out by Markskeepingfaith and Golden Fact in a blanket finish at Galway on Friday night. Compensation can come her way this afternoon.
In the bumper, maybe Al O'Connell's charge Whistling Rufo can send the punters home happy.
