Flat returns with Murtagh gone from Ballydoyle

WEEKEND IRISH MEETINGS:THE NATIONAL Hunt theme continues at Gowran today – and with an appearance by Jim Culloty's Noble Concorde in Uttoxeter's Midlands National – but there is no greater evidence of the post-Cheltenham lull than the start of the 2011 Irish flat season at the Curragh tomorrow.

Back to its traditional kick-off date on turf, the new flat campaign invariably suffers in terms of profile, being sandwiched between Cheltenham and the coming Grand National.

But while it can require a jolting change of gear to start thinking of sprinters instead of steeplechasers, there is much to anticipate in the coming months, not least a fascinating fluidity among the top rank in the jockey’s room.

Johnny Murtagh has his first ride tomorrow in his new role as number one jockey in Ireland to the Aga Khan when Adilapour lines up in a three-year-old handicap that sees Joseph O’Brien ride Eirnin for his father, Aidan.

The fallout from Murtagh’s resignation as Ballydoyle stable jockey last winter continues, with Coolmore insisting on the same “best available” policy that they followed during Kieren Fallon’s problem-strewn stint as number one.

That could mean call-ups for someone like Christophe Soumillon on some big international days, but significantly it is Colm O’Donoghue who is on board Gemstone in tomorrow’s featured Group Three Lodge Park Stud Park Express Stakes.

She is one of four three-year-olds in a nine-runner event that could see last season’s Athasi winner Lolly For Dolly make another bright start to a campaign in what is an all domestic affair.

However, tomorrow’s card is notable for eight cross-sea runners, five of which come from Richard Fahey’s Yorkshire yard. That means Murtagh and Co will be joined by the new British champion jockey Paul Hanagan, whose first ride will be on the two-year-old Lost City, who is part-owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Those looking to bet on more day-to-day fare than the intense competition of Cheltenham will be looking to Gowran Park, where Cairdin looks one to follow in the bumper.

Runner-up to the highly-rated Smain on his Naas debut, Cairdin looks to have Startling Force to beat, but fans of the Gigginstown-owned Samain will be looking for a form boost here.

The Shepherd King should thrive on a step up to two-and-a-half miles in the handicap hurdle.

At Cork tomorrow, Stonemaster can follow up a recent Leopardstown victory.