Johnny Ward's Irish Angle: My top tips for the Curragh on Saturday

It's been a wet enough second half to the week in Ireland and ground conditions will be vital for those pursuing punts at the Curragh on Saturday.

There is an inspection ahead of racing at 7.30am on Saturday, so fingers crossed Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend still goes ahead.

Three of my selections are proven on easy ground, and it should not be a problem for the other. Check out the On The Wire podcast (below) for our preview, and also Fran Berry's fascinating interview with Jim Bolger.

Be lucky.

Only Jim Bolger, you would think, would run a horse in three Classics in the space of three weeks, especially given the French run, and it's hard to back Poetic Flare with any confidence.

Wembley and Battleground ran shockers in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, though Wembley at least might bounce back.

La Barrosa has had a much nicer prep. A very smart two-year-old, he battled bravely on his Newmarket return before getting worn down by Guineas-runner-up Master Of The Seas. But even though he's by Lope De Vega, this ground looks a quandary.

It is not a concern for Mac Swiney who is reported to be in great nick by Bolger. His price seems certain to contract.

Clearly, Champers Elysees is not easily opposed here but she is priced accordingly and was beaten on her seasonal return, for all that run is probably best excused given she was on the go until October last term. Australia-bred horses tend to need time and Epona Plays seemed to produce the best display of her career on her four-year-old debut at Naas in March.

She was ridden more forward there due to her trainer believing hold-up horses were struggling on the day and she showed a terrific attitude to easily beat the 101-rated Parent's Prayer, who she was conceding 3lb too. This is tougher but, at the prices, she looks by far the best value.

There are doubts about nearly all the runners here due to ground and other factors.

The selection is hardly bullet-proof, but she should be a price.

Her dam won on heavy and, while sire Fulbright has a terrible record as a stallion (one winner from 30 runners), this one definitely comes into it on her runs on soft ground at two.

Judging by her eye-catching reappearance, she has trained on, and possibly improved.

This is a nice-looking filly who should not be judged too harshly on the record of her half-brother, Pasley, a desperately frustrating horse now with Jonjo O'Neill.

All told, she will appreciate this relative test of stamina, and she has a crucial experience edge on some of these, since she has already run in a handicap at the Curragh, going down narrowly here in May.

She's a likeable filly who gives the impression she will get better with more racing, and has a will to win.