Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to Saturday’s Irish Oaks card at the Curragh.

Looking Ahead To The Weekend – Part 2

The Irish Oaks is one of the five Irish Classics and is considered one of the most important races for fillies run in Ireland.  The race is the Irish version of the Epsom Oaks and is run over the same distance of 1m 4f.

The race has a rich history dating back to its inaugural running in 1895. It’s been won by many high class fillies over the years, including the likes of Pretty Polly, Salsabil, Enable, and Snowfall.

There are two other Group-races on the Curragh card: the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (3:10) and the Curragh Cup (4:20). The latter race is one of the key trials for the Irish St Leger. Add in the valuable Paddy Power Scurry Handicap (2:35) and you have card to suit all tastes. I have two that I really fancy in the latter race and they will be available to Victor Value Subscribers on Friday evening.

Curragh: Juddmonte Irish Oaks

Nine were left in the race at Tuesday’s confirmation stage. Aidan O’Brien has five of the nine entries including the front two in the ante post betting Savethelastdance & Warm Heart. I wasn’t expecting the big two from the O’Brien yard to run but it looks like both will take their place in the line-up.

The ground on Tuesday was being described as yielding to soft at the Curragh on Tuesday afternoon.

Contenders:

Savethelastdance will bid to go one place better after finishing runner-up to Soul Sister at Epsom. Warm Heart won the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and is an improving middle distance filly.  

Savethelastdance relished the soft ground when winning the Cheshire Oaks in May and will be better suited to the track than Epsom.  Ease in the ground is very much in her favour and although the Epsom form isn’t working out, she’s the one to beat.

Warm Heart has improved to win her last two starts. If the ground was on the quick side, I would be all over but on softer I’m not as sure.

Ralph Beckett has left Bluestocking in the race. The filly finished a head 2nd of 8 to Warm Heart in Listed race at Newbury in May. However, she was a 3 ¾ length to same rival in Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. She didn’t get the best of runs 2f out otherwise would have finished closer. Capable of better with racing and and interesting if she does come over.

Lumiere Rock finished a 2 ½ length runner-up to Warm Heart in the Ribblesdale. Like Bluestocking she should stay further and won soft ground as a juvenile which Is a plus.

Azazat won a heavy ground maiden at Leopardstown in May and improved again when ½-length 2nd of 8 to Rosscarbery in Munster Oaks (1m 4f) at Cork last time. She will need to have improved plenty since her last start to win. However, I think she’s a nice prospect and the softer ground the better.

Irish Oaks Verdict:

This year’s renewal doesn’t look a vintage one. It will be interesting to see who I suspect on rain softened ground he will go for Epsom runner-up Savethelastdance. If he did choose Warm Heart, I would be with that filly. Bluestocking would have to be respected if coming over and is the type to do better with racing and can finish ahead of Lumiere Rock this time. Azazat is a nice prospect and if the rain continues would have each way claims.

Other races to note on the Curragh card.

2:00 – Anglesey Stakes (Group 3) -6 ½ f

No bookmaker has priced up this juvenile contest, but I like the Aidan O’Brien colt Edwardian. The son of No Nay Never shaped with plenty of promise when a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 5 to Son of Corballis at Tipperary on his racecourse debut in April. Despite looking green in the early stages, he was running on well at the end of that 5f contest. Not subjected to hard race and he should improve for the step up to 6f.

looked badly in need of the experience, not the first juvenile from these quarters to do so this year; dwelt, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on, not knocked about; sure to improve, perhaps markedly so.

3:10 – Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) – 5f

Art Power is a perfect 3-3 at the Curragh albeit all those wins have come at 6f. The 6-year-old was back to form when a 2 ¾ length 4th of 8 to Shaquille in July Cup at Newmarket last Saturday. The drop back to 5f is a slight concern but the quick turnaround wouldn't bother and his course from makes him a leading player back in to Group 2 company. Bet365 are the only firm who have priced up the race and 5/1 looks more than fair to me.

4:20 – Curragh Cup (Group 2) – 1m 6f

Sixteen were left in the race at the final confirmation stage.  Four of those entries are trained by Aidan O’Brien and the one that interests me most is Gooloogong. We haven’t seen the son of Australia since he won a Navan maiden (1m 2f) at the end of March. Strong at the finish that day and looked in need of further. The colt is open to plenty of improvement. He was tipped up by some shrewd judges as a contender for the Queen's Vase although he ultimately missed that race. Not really bred for 1m 6f but he’s the most intriguing runner in the race for me. One to note if he does take his place in the line-up.

Thursday Preview

Killarney switches to jumps action for the fourth day of its July meeting. However, the best of Thursday’s action is at Leopardstown. Where the Group 3 Meld Stakes (7:25) is the highlight of an eight race teatime card.  

Leopardstown

7:25 – Alfred Munnings looked a nice juvenile prospect when winning on his racecourse debut last season but was a disappointing beaten favourite in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Off for 12 months he shaped like the run was needed when an 11 length 3^rd of 5 in a Group 3 at the Curragh 19 days ago. He’ll be sharper for that run and is capable of more improvement. This will be his first start on ground worse than good but providing its not too testing should go close. I’m happy with the 9/2 available.

Alfred Munnings – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John