Racing round-up: Chenchikova, joint-favourite for the Vodafone Oaks with some bookmakers, is the star turn on the opening day of the Irish Flat season at the Curragh on Sunday, ground permitting.
Aidan O'Brien's filly has won her only racecourse appearance at Tipperary by two lengths and was immediately nominated as a horse with a big future.
However, connections are reported to be slightly concerned about the prevailing heavy ground, and are monitoring the situation before letting her take her chance in the Group Three Park Express Stakes.
O'Brien also runs Amadeus Mozart in the Unicorn Homes Maiden after he finished second to stablemate George Washington in the Group One Phoenix Stakes last year.
Grade One-winning hurdler Iktitaf is on course to reappear at the Punchestown Festival in April.
The five-year-old was an impressive winner of the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, before finishing second in the Grade Two Byrne Group plc Hurdle at Punchestown.
However, it was revealed after that race that the son of Alhaarth injured his near-fore after hitting the fifth flight of hurdles.
Although it was initially feared he may be out for the rest of the season, trainer Noel Meade reported that his gelding is likely to join his strong team of novice hurdlers at the Punchestown Festival.
Meade is also confident Watson Lake can put his disappointing run in the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind him in the Grade Three An Uaimh Chase at Navan on Saturday.
The eight-year-old, who will face three rivals in the two-and-a-half-mile test, was hampered at the third fence by the fall of favourite Kauto Star and trailed home sixth behind Newmill.
Meade reported Watson Lake to have come out of the race unscathed and believes the An Uaimh Chase represents an ideal opportunity for the gelding to get back to winning ways.
"He didn't really have a race at Cheltenham for one reason or another," said Meade. We put a tongue-tie on him and whether that had something to do with it I'm not sure; he just never took any part in the race at all.
"I wasn't keen on taking him to Liverpool after he disappointed so badly at Cheltenham and I wanted to try him over two and a half miles again. This race looks the ideal opportunity to work out what his target will be at Punchestown.
"Paul (Carberry) schooled him this morning and said he felt great so I'm happy enough to let him take his chance." PA