Cork welcomes the Flat brigade this evening and Josh’s Joy, who finished third on her debut and second on her next run, can complete the sequence by taking the fourth race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden.

Sent off favourite on debut — though she had to settle for third place behind the smart Queen Of Hawaii — it was clear she was highly thought of in a stable doing well with its juveniles.

Even though she was dropped back to seven furlongs for her second start, she raced far too keenly and, in the circumstances, did remarkably well to finish second, beaten just by a head behind Smexy. She will need to settle better to realise her full potential but there was more than enough in both runs to suggest she could win a race of this nature.

Black Caviar Gold, Nautic Star, Anushka and River Ara have all shown enough ability to suggest they may win races in time, but a great concern for supporters of the selection would be money for newcomers Amenita or Solana Beach.

Hellorhightwater has finished runner-up on both outings to date and he can go one place better when he contests the William Hill Gold Weekend Starts 8am Friday Maiden.

Gavin Cromwell’s gelding showed patent signs of greenness but also distinct promise when second best to Valorous Power on his first start, at Limerick. He then went to Killarney for a similar race, on soft ground, and found only the 84-rated Iron Fist too good. The pair finished a proverbial mile clear of the remainder and, as on the first occasion, there were signs of inexperience from the runner-up.

He has been given the best part of two months since that outing and, with more expected, he can make the most of this opportunity. The 87-rated Ben Lawers found listed company too much for her on her most recent outing but, back in these calmer waters, can play a more prominent role.

With a rating of 85 and the assistance of a 5lb claimer in the shape of Jack Cleary, Charles Fort should be up to winning most maidens, but the drop back to six furlongs for the Coolmore Stud Gleneagles Irish EBF Maiden is not necessarily ideal for Aidan O’Brien’s colt and he could be vulnerable to something a little speedier.

Strike Zone fits the bill as he showed plenty on debut, when taking third place behind 80-rated stablemate Amiata and the 86-rated subsequent winner Namiid. The only horse to make any significant progress from off the pace that day, he is a nice prospect and will appreciate the step up to six furlongs.

Cork

Selection

4.10 Fontaine Khaled 

4.40 Strike Zone 

5.10 Send Harry 

5.40 Josh’s Joy (nap) 

6.10 Draiocht 

6.40 Hellorhighwater (nb) 

7.10 Palatine Hills 

Next best 

4.10 Listentodwindblow 

4.40 Charles Fort 

5.10 Air Speed 

5.40 River Ara 

6.10 Not Simple 

6.40 Ben Lawers 

7.10 Burford Beauty