Duke looks the pick

The Budweiser Irish Derby weekend kicks off at the Curragh this evening and even the festival opener has some Group One history to live up to with Duke Of Marmalade expected to come up to the mark.

This seven-furlong maiden has launched the careers of some star names in recent years, including the subsequent St Leger winner Brian Boru in 2002 and the ill-fated Grand Criterium victor Horatio Nelson last year.

In 2003 it was also supposed to be the racecourse debut of the following year's Irish Derby hero Grey Swallow only for the colt to be withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls.

Significantly the major yards are all represented again with John Oxx pitching in Eyshal, a son of the 1997 Oaks winner Ebadiyla, and Dermot Weld running the filly Supposition for Juddmonte farms.

The main Ballydoyle hope, Duke Of Marmalade, has some vital experience, though, having run second to Chanting at Leopardstown last week. That can prove crucial.

Miss Beatrix finally got off the mark when beating Evening Rushour on her last start but she has always had a big reputation and can land the Woodpark & Ballysheahan Studs Stakes. Jim Bolger runs two winners, Gaudeamus and Simonette, and the former could be the main threat to Miss Beatrix.

Le Leopard's 80 rating allows him to squeeze into the Apprentice Derby and on the back of a good second to Virginia Woolf at Gowran last weekend he can give Dermot Weld a third success in the race in the last five years.

Millers Weir is a couple of pounds better with Seven Gold Rings for their clash at Down Royal last weekend and can secure a first Curragh win in the sprint handicap. Zakfree won over a mile at this festival last year and off just 5lb higher could be worth an interest in the 10-furlong handicap.