Takarian is taken to boost the Irish Derby form and continue John Oxx's excellent record in the race by landing today's Group 3 Meld Stakes at the Curragh.

Oxx has won the Meld Stakes three times in the 90s with Cajarian (1994), Sardaniya (1991) and Khalafiya (1990) and Takarian looks well up to their standard.

Owned, like the previous three, by the Aga Khan, Takarian ran a fine race behind Dream Well in the Derby, chasing Risk Material into the straight and only fading to fifth when the absolute topnotchers made their play.

The drop back to 10 furlongs should suit Takarian and he is proven on yielding ground, two factors that can help him beat the most likely danger, Fruits Of Love.

The Mark Johnston-trained Fruits Of Love is also dropping back a couple of furlongs but his success last time in the Princess Of Wales Stakes is easily his best form. Unlike Takarian he may not be ideally suited by the trip.

Nevertheless, Johnston was in confident mood yesterday and said: "He's in best form, better than ever. The drop back in distance is a bit of a gamble but we thought we would get one under our belt before reverting to a mile and a half."

That makes today's race sound like something of an afterthought and with the Oxx yard in splendid form, Takarian can do Fruits Of Love for toe in the closing stages.

Oxx's Colombian Green has run into the progressive Approvance on his last two appearances but the 10 furlongs of the Ballymany Handicap looks a more suitable task for the Sadlers Wells gelding and is preferred to Jim Bolger's Ulster Oaks winner Rose Petal.

Bolger is unlikely to leave empty handed however. His Naas winner Darina will be hard to beat in the Newbridge Handicap, while Irish Summit is a very interesting runner in the concluding Connell Race.

Winner of a maiden here on his only run last year when beating Boldini and Dragon Triumph, Irish Summit could only manage a sixth of seven to Attractive Crown at Naas last month. As a son of Erins Isle however, Irish Summit should improve with time and he is selected to beat the well bred Outspoken and Bold Raparee.

Coliseum is by Sadlers Wells out of Gravieres and is highly regarded in Ballydoyle. He makes his debut in the Merrion Maiden and will be hard to beat. However, most of Aidan O'Brien's juveniles improve for their first run and, on this occasion, the experience that Globe Theatre gained when runner-up to Mus-If can prove crucial.

Tommy Stack can also land the opener with Antinnaz who was a fast finishing second to Takariya here earlier in the month.