Irish Oaks at the Curragh

Although Ascot´s July meeting continues today, the main action is at the Curragh, where there are 3 group races, headed by the Irish Oaks at 16.20 CET. Aidan O´Brien saddles 3 of the 7 runners, with Was (son Joresph in the saddle) clearly the best of them. She won the Oaks at Epsom last time, beating Shirocco Star (Hughie Morrison/ Johnny Murtagh), but the latter as staying kion sztromngly and must fancy her chance of frevenmge on this stiffer track. However the one to beat is clearly Princess Highway (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), who has beaten them both this season and was especially impressive when taking the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot by 6 lengths. Great Heavens (John Gosden/ William Buick) is on a steep upward curve and has won all her 3 starts this season; her stable is in great form, with her brother Nathaniel just failing against Danedream yesterday, but for our money Princess Highway is the best 3yo filly in Europe over this trip and we expect her to win. It would be an emotional success, as Walter Haefner, founder of the Moyglare Stud who bred and own her, died recently and the memorial service was held for him just two days ago.

She could be completing a double for Weld and Smullen as we also expect Caponata to win the filles Group Three over 9 furlongs at 15.10. She has won both her starts in excellent style and looks as if she is really going places. Up (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is the obvious danger, having finished second in the French 1,000 Guineas.

Even if the O´Brien´s do not win these two races, they should not leave the course empty-handed, as Cristoforo Colombo looks a good thing to win the Angesey Stakes at 15.45. He was third in the Coventry and runner-up in the Railway Stakes, form which is far superior to anything the other 5 runners can offer.