JIM BOLGER'S main focus today will be on Goodwood where Lush Lashes will attempt to give the trainer a third success in the Nassau Stakes but Tomas An Tsioda can also keep the Galway fires burning for Bolger in one of this afternoon's festival features at Ballybrit.
That's the seven-furlong Premier Nursery which includes runners from all the major flat-racing stables in this country among a seven-strong field.
However, there will be major Irish interest in the Nassau which also includes Aidan O'Brien's Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Halfway To Heaven in a quality 10-runner line up.
O'Brien landed the 10-furlong highlight last year with Peeping Fawn but that pales in comparison with Bolger's Nassau record. He first won it with New Approach's dam Park Express in 1986 and followed up with Alexander Goldrun in 2005.
Only a short head separated that filly from Ouija Board at the end of a titanic struggle a year later but Lush Lashes will be fancied to make up for that.
Despite a Group One success in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile on her last start Lush Lashes' most visually impressive display was at today's distance in the Musidora at York.
John Dunlop's Muthabara was just fifth in the Coronation but should improve for the step up in trip while the Ballydoyle team are quietly confident of the same for Halfway To Heaven.
Similarly lofty Group One ambitions were outlined for Tomas An Tsioda after his Curragh debut when beating Rip Van Winkle only to be disqualified in a stewards' inquiry.
He disappointed on his follow-up but then won over six furlongs at Fairyhouse. He shares topweight with O'Brien's Leopardstown winner, Gluteus Maximus, today, but for a colt with genuine Derby ambitions next season this is a task that should be achievable.
Indian Ocean is the Ballydoyle hope in the mile maiden but he will do well to cope with Kevin Prendergast's Alyazwa who started favourite for the Curragh maiden fought out by Rip Van Winkle and Tomas An Tsioda.
Today's most valuable pot is the €55,000 Freshways Handicap Hurdle which gives P'tit Fute a good opportunity to make up for a lack-lustre effort in Monday's GPT.
For a horse that won valuable flat event in 2006, P'tit Fute's eventual 12th earlier in the week was a let-down. Forgive him that, however, and he brings winning hurdling form which on the back of his proven liking for the track will make him a tough opponent.
Peter Bowen's Welsh hope No Panic only just got touched off here on Thursday but will have no problem with the extra distance and rates a danger.
Ruby Walsh can further secure another leading jockey's title at Galway by scoring in the opener on Tuesday's third, Noble Crusader, but may miss out on Reisk Superman in the handicap chase.
Tony Martin's talented if quirky horse was impressive earlier in the week, but more testing ground conditions could see him vulnerable to Mirpour who has the services of the 17-year-old Guinness Galway Hurdle-winning rider Paul Townend.
