News and previews: Pat Smullen can further increase his lead at the top of the jockeys title table at Down Royal today where Motafarred could be a bet in the feature event.

Dermot Weld's colt, from the family of the World Cup winner Almutawkal, was an easy winner at the Galway Festival and now goes for the €15,000 Her Majesty's Plate against stiffer opposition.

However, Motafarred's form was boosted by Zelkova last weekend and he could be improving enough to account for the Guinness Gold Cup winner Blessyourpinksox as well as Dashing Home. Smullen hit the 62-winner mark at Down Royal yesterday and is steadily increasing his championship lead over the sidelined Fran Berry.

Lavender Rose's formlines include names like Galantas and Abigail Pett and while it might not be good to take that too literally she should still hold her chance in the seven-furlong Nursery.

The opening day feature at the start of Galway's September Festival is the €35,000 Listed Chase which could see the course and distance winner Fatherofthebride strike again. Joe Crowley's stayer ran a good race on the flat at Tralee when third to the well handicapped English runner Red Damson and that should put him spot on for this weekend.

Carlesimo's first chasing experience came here at the big festival when he was brought down at the third last fence. That clearly had no impact on his confidence as Denis O'Regan's mount sluiced up on testing ground at Ballinrobe last weekend. A quick follow-up looks on in the novice chase.

Pedrobob has Ruby Walsh on his back for the maiden hurdle while My Native Lad can be another for Noel Meade.