BRITISH runners Ambivalent, Just The Judge and Thistle Bird feature in a 10-strong field for the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.
The Roger Varian-trained Ambivalent struck gold in this Group One contest 12 months ago and reappeared this season with a fine third in the Sheema Classic in Dubai behind Japanese ace Gentildonna.
She subsequently won the Middleton Stakes at York before finishing third to the brilliant Cirrus Des Aigles in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
Charlie Hills's Just The Judge enjoyed her finest hour to date when claiming Classic glory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at this track a year ago.
Her latest start was when third to Thistle Bird in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom.
Trainer Roger Charlton is in search of a valuable top-level success for Thistle Bird, who was beaten a nose and a neck when third in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp on Arc day.
She probably needs to improve a bit to win a Group One but this a Group One in name only with only two three-year-olds in the race.
Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Marvellous couldn't match that performance in the Epsom Oaks and Avenue Gabriel has eight lengths to find on her from the Curragh classic.
Venus De Milo was all out to win at Cork and this looks ready for export.
Thistle Bird may spring a small surprise.
Dermot Weld runs Pale Mimosa in the 14-furlong Group Three Curragh Cup and she will have improved considerably from her reappearance at Navan behind Leading Light in the middle of May.
Ernest Hemingway is one of the two Ballydoyle runners, along with El Salvador. Joseph O'Brien rides the former, but Seamus Heffernan was in the saddle when springing a 12/1 shock 12 months ago.
This is a good race for getting favourites beaten as Septimus, six years ago, was the last jolly to succeed.
Johnny Murtagh likes this race and his Ursa Major ran well enough here in a Listed race behind Indigo Lady earlier this month over a trip much too short for him.
That was his first outing since his fourth behind Encke in the 2012 St Leger and he has a big chance here if there's a fancy for him.
Ebanoran finished 13 lengths behind Australia in the Epsom Derby and didn't appear to have the stamina.
He'll find the task facing him now in the 10-furlong Group Three International Stakes somewhat less exacting and should be capable of beating the two Ballydoyle colts Mekong River and Agena.
Carlo Bugatti was a weak finisher at Ascot behind Elite Army in one of the handicaps but the 12-furlong Ragusa Handicap might be an easier task.
Azurite and Curley Bill are a pair that might run well.
In the seven-furlong handicap, Lake George tries to follow up his midweek success at Naas under a 5lb penalty. The handicapper handed him 6lb for beating Les Darcy by a length, so he's just 1lb to the good. Ramone might be a danger of sorts.