Joey Sheridan excited to be back aboard Group 1 heroine Princess Zoe at Cork

Following the disappointment of losing sublime sprinter Sceptical last summer, apprentice Joey Sheridan's season was turned around through his association with Princess Zoe and the 19-year-old is relishing the chance to be reunited with her at Cork on Saturday.

Sheridan missed out on partnering the Tony Mullins-trained six-year-old on her most recent start in the Prix Royal-Oak in October, having recorded a memorable Prix du Cadran success earlier in the month.

A mark of 110 means she is at least 6lb superior to her nearest rival on ratings in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Noblesse Stakes (4.20) but she must shoulder a penalty for her top-level success.

"I can't wait to partner her again this weekend," said Sheridan. "I've been down to sit on her at Tony's yard and he's happy with her.

Princess Zoe (right): will make her first start of the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I've had all winter to reflect on what she did at Longchamp and still can't believe how good a performance it was. When she gets easier than good to soft ground I don't think there's any bottom to her.

"She's so versatile, which gives her options. She's proven herself to be very good from a mile and a half to two and a half miles."

Mullins added: "It's her first start of the season and I have her as fit as she can be without having a run. This looks a stronger race than I thought it might be but I'm happy with her and this will tell us where we're going."

One of the popular grey's biggest dangers could be the Jessica Harrington-trained Flor De La Luna, who looked a potential high-class performer when landing a Curragh maiden readily in October.

The trainer said: "It's a big step up to come here after winning a maiden but we think Flor De La Luna is a nice filly."

Make A Challenge, who like Princess Zoe has rapidly improved from a mark in the 60s in recent seasons, makes his seasonal return in the Listed Sean Barrett Bloodstock Stakes (2.35) over six furlongs.

Make A Challenge: attempts to start his season with a bang at CorkCredit: Patrick McCann

The Denis Hogan-trained six-year-old has won five of his six starts at this level and defied a 119-day absence when scoring on his reappearance at Naas last summer.

Hogan said: "Make A Challenge is in good nick and has done really well for his winter break. This looks like a nice starting point. With these sprinters you generally take it one race at a time, but the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh [May 22] could be a target."

A Step Too Far, trained by Kieran Cotter, progressed from a mark of 48 to 91 last term and starts her season in a race in which she has already won over course and distance.

"She had a great season last year and this is a starting point for her this time around," said Cotter. "If she managed to be placed in a Listed race this season it would be a success."

He added of her 95-rated stablemate Inflection Point: "He's probably the most talented horse in our yard and if everything fell right for him I think he could run a big race, although he's a bit quirky. A cut in the ground over six furlongs should suit him well."

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