This year's Bellewstown Festival commences with an action-packed eight-race fixture on Friday, kicking off with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at 5.15.

Without a doubt the standard-bearer in the race is David Wachman's Eastern Light, who pressed the likes of Radharcnafarraige and Oor Jock before a fair fourth in Listed company at Cork.

If, for some reason, she fluffs her lines, Jessie Harrington's Cloneylass is the most likely beneficiary.

The juveniles also take centre stage in the Murphy Sand & Gravel Decorative Stone Auction Maiden, in which the Kevin Prendergast-trained Gemara bids to fulfil the promise of her debut fourth behind Looking Lovely at Leopardstown.

Vamizi Island filled the same spot on her own introduction, while Barry Crockett fared one place better but that came in a weaker race at Down Royal and he finished behind the reopposing Suspect Device.

Last-start winners Atlantic Cycle and Bank On Black cross swords in the Essential Drogheda Magazine Handicap, and the latter attempts to confirm her Tipperary superiority over Blue Dahlia.

Wachman's Sixteen Forty Two wasn't far away when favourite at Naas recently and tries to atone in the Paddy Farnan Memorial Handicap.

He is closely matched with Star Links on that evidence, while Zhukov hinted at a return to form on his latest outing, also at Naas.

Blue Law let down favourite-backers at Fairyhouse on Wednesday but makes a quick return in the www.citynorthhotel.com Handicap (Div 1), while the second instalment has Philosophers Guest aiming to supplement last week's Ballinrobe triumph.

Barndeh is another recent winner in action and the easy Sligo scorer will head most shortlists for the Meade Potato Company Handicap if he gets a run.

Smart NH prospect Fantasy King made a successful start to his Flat career at the expense of Swiftmarc at Leopardstown, but Paramount fought hard to prevail at Tipperary last week and presents a stiffer test of his mettle.