Irish Oaks day at the Curragh

Easily the most important race today in Britain and Ireland is the Group One Irish Oaks at 17.10 at the Curragh. The fillies classic has a strong field with 14 runners, though it is a bit disappointing that neither of the easy winners of the English and French Oaks line up. However the form of those races is well represented, with Moonstone, one of 6 (!!) Aidan O´Brien entries but the choice of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, Katiyra (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) and Chinese White (Dermot Weld/ Pat Shanahan), respectively 2nd, 3rd and 9th at Epsom, in the field, as well as Gagnoa (André Fabre/ Seamus Heffernan), 3 lengths runner-up at Chantilly to Zarkawa, who is on all the evidence so far the best filly in Europe, if not the world. It is interesting that Dermot Weld´s stable jockey Pat Smullen has chosen to ride Mad about You, runner-up last time in the Pretty Polly over 10 furlongs. It would be a major surprise if the winner does not come from those mentioned above (although Aidan O´Brien has frequently won such races with his second or third strings, e.g. Frozen Fire in the Irish Derby), and we give slight preference to Katiyra, whose trainer has an excellent record with staying fillies and seemed to be ill-suited by the track at Epsom. The Anglesey Stakes (Group Three) for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 16.35 is the main supporting feature and Aidan O Brien supplies 3 of the 7 runners, all previous winners, with Johnny Murtagh having chosen Westphalia. However the two to beat here are Intense Focus (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and Bushranger (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan), both runners-up at Royal Ascot. The importance of black type for well-bred fillies is evident in the field for the listed 9 furlongs race at 17.45, weith no fewer than 20 runners. Once again O´Brien is mob-handed with 4 runners, all 3yo´s, with Murtagh aboard Psalm, who is best in at the weights according to official ratings. Zafayra, representing the same owner-trainer-jockey team as Katiyra looks the main danger. There is also N.H. racing today in Ireland at Sligo, with 6 hurdles races and one bumper.