group action in Ireland today

the best racing in the U.K. and Ireland today comes from the Curragh, on the second day of the Irish St. Leger meeting. Main event is the Group 2 Blandford Stakes for fillies and mares over 10 furlongs 16.45 CET. Eleanora Duse (Sir Michael Stoute/ Declan McDonough) won this last year and returns for a second bite at the cherry. A repeat of her 2010 form gives her a good chance, but the Stoute stable remains below form and we will look for the winner among the 8 3yo´s entered. Banimpire (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) has put up some tremendous performances this year, but was disappointing in the Yorkshire Oaks and possibly her hard season is now catching up. Bible Belt (Jessica Harrington/ Fran Berry) is unbeaten this year but is moving up in class. John Oxx has hit top form this week and we think that both his runners Kirinda (Johnny Murtagh) and Manieree (Niall McCullagh) could show improved form here.
Oxx can also take the listed race for 2yo fillies at 15.40 with Rubina (Murtagh), even though strictly speaking she is held on collateral form by Yellow Rosebud (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen).
Roger Charlton and Steve Drowne can land a group 3 double here with Cityscape in the Solonaway Stakes over a mile at 17.15 and Definightly in the Renaissance Stakes over 6 furlongs at 18.20. The latter was just touched off at Deauville last week and now has 2010 winner Bewitched (Charles O´Brien/ Murtagh) to beat, while he has been telling us all year that Cityscape is top class on soft ground; he has not yet proved this, but if he does not beat today´s opposition he will have no more excuses left.
There is also jumps racing in Ireland at Listowel. Most interesting feature of the card is the return of Ruby Walsh from injury. He has just one ride - Tony Martin´ s Salute Him in the 2 mile hurdle race at 16.00; he should go well but may not be able to concede the weight to Plan A (Gordon Elliott/ Paul Carberry).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kingdomforthebride - Pale Orchid - Dancing Sally
2. Race: Yellow Rosebud - Rubina - Coral Wave
3. Race: Shiramiyna - Topadee - Royal Intruder
4. Race: Bible Belt - Chrysanthemum - Look At Me
5. Race: Cityscape - Emiyna - Wild Wind
6. Race: Barrow Island - Cairdiuil - Cul A Dun
7. Race: Definightly - Bewitched - Rose Bonheur