group races at the Curragh

once again Ireland gallops to the rescue on a Sunday, as the Curragh Oaks meeting continues with another good card, while the 3 U.K. meetings (2 of them over jumps) are of little account. The main event is the Group Two race for fillies and mares over 9 furlongs at 16.45 CET, which was won last year by Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore with Dank and they try again with Mango Diva.On Epsom form she is held by Odeliz (Karl Burke/ Danny Tudhope), while the all-conquering Aidan O´Brien team runs Peace Burg, third in the Falmouth Stakes last time. However the one to beat is surely My Titania (John Oxx/ Declan McDonogh), who pulled too hard for her own good at Royal Ascot, but looked a potential Group One star last season.
The other group race, over ten furlongs half an hour earlier, has only 5 runners, but still looks wide open. The 2 3yo´s Afternoon Sunlight (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) and Ponfeigh (Oxx/ McDonogh) obviously have a chance, as does the O´Brien runner Festive Cheer, off since Meydan, but our choice is Parish Hall (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning); he has not really lived up to the high hopes held for him after the won the Dewhurst 3 years ago, but must surely be capable of scoring in this company.
Our best bet at the Irish jumps meeting at Tipperary is Molly Conners (Henry de Bromhead/ Davy Russell) in the opening maiden hurdle at 15.35; she has a good N.H. pedigree, has already twice run well over hurdles and gets all the allowances. Aidan O´Brien has a leading fancy here as well, as MacBride, ridden by his daughter Sarah, can defy a double penalty in the concluding bumper at 18.35.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Toogoodtobetrue - Gussy Goose - New Alliance
2. Race: As Good As Gold - Ohh Lala - Sauanna Belle
3. Race: Ponfeigh - Afternoon Sunlight - Festive Cheer
4. Race: My Titania - Peace Burg - Mango Diva
5. Race: Wither Hills - Blue Ridge Lane - Zeftan
6. Race: Yulong Baoju - Masai - Kernoff
7. Race: Witches Brew - Supposing - Duchess Andorra