Halford relies on Terzetto in bid to take prize for third time in five years

5.00 Curragh
Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Habitat" Handicap | 3yo+ | 1m | RTV

Michael Halford has trained two of the last four winners of this valuable premier handicap and could be the go-to man for punters this time around with Terzetto.

Like last year's winner Saltonstall, Terzetto is also owned by Godolphin and is a course-and-distance winner having scored in a handicap last July off a mark of 93. He goes off the same mark this time and should strip fitter for his first start of the season at the track earlier this month, when last of 27 behind Red Tea.

Adrian McGuinness is double-handed with a pair of seasoned campaigners in Aussie Valentine and Master Speaker.

Aussie Valentine: one of two runners in the race for trainer Adrian McGuinnessCredit: Patrick McCann

Aussie Valentine will be making his 50th appearance, while Master Speaker visits the Curragh for the 30th time in his career.

Of the veteran duo, McGuinness joked: "They could probably drive the horsebox to the Curragh themselves!"

He added: "They are both in great form and we have been targeting this race for Master Speaker since the Lincoln, but I just hope the rain arrives for him."

"Aussie Valentine will pop up to win a big handicap again soon and hopefully it is this one. They are both in rude health."

Crochet is having her third start for Joseph O'Brien after joining from Richard Fahey's stable over the winter.

Crotchet won at Musselburgh twice last year when trained by Richard FaheyCredit: Grossick Racing (racingpost.com/photos)

She went close on her Irish debut at Gowran Park in April and just missed out at the same venue earlier this month when beaten three-quarters-of-a-length by the rapidly-improving Annie Fior.

The handicapper has nudged her up another 2lb but we may not have seen the best of her yet and she has the assistance of champion jockey Donnacha O'Brien in the saddle.

What they say

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Dream Ascot
She's well and I'm happy with her. She will like the ground so we will see what happens. Hopefully she'll go well.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Atlas and Eastern Racer
They are both consistent and usually run their races. I would be hoping they can both give good accounts of themselves. This is coming a bit soon after Naas last weekend for Eastern Racer but it's a €50,000 pot and it's cut up plenty so he will take his chance. If Atlas is on a going day, he would have a massive chance. There is a big race in him when things fall into place.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Innamorare
She ran a good race the last day. It turned into a sprint and she was a bit too far back. In a race of this class, we believe blinkers could sharpen her up. Fingers crossed she will run a big race.

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