Stepping-up in trip, Joseph O’Brien’s Iridessa should prove tough to beat in today’s Kerrygold Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
Winner of her maiden, in Killarney, a year ago, the daughter of Ruler Of The World has already triumphed twice at the top level, proving a shock winner of the bet365 Fillies Mile at Newmarket on her final juvenile start, beating Hermosa, which completed the Guineas double this spring.
Placed in the Guineas trial won by the ill-fated Lady Kaya at Leopardstown on her three-year-old debut, when reportedly in need of the outing, she then finished eighth and fourth in the English and Irish 1,000
Guineas, both won by Hermosa.
Throughout her two-year-old campaign Iridessa looked sure to improve when stepped up in trip. And she confirmed that impression when winning the Group 1 Pretty Polly over a mile and a quarter of this trip three weeks ago.
Always looking the likely winner she came through strongly to assert her authority and beat Ballydoyle pair Magic Wand and Pink Dogwood.
There’s every reason to believe that Iridessa will improve again over today’s longer trip. And, on that basis, she
gets the vote confirm form with Pink Dogwood who, prior to the Pretty Polly had finished an excellent second to Anapurna in the Investec Oaks at Epsom.
In the Epsom classic, Pink Dogwood finished ahead of stablemate Fleeting (third) and Manuela De Vega (fourth), one of Ralph Beckett’s two challengers today.
Fleeting went on to finish second, when favourite, in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, beaten a length and a
half by Star Catcher, supplemented to today’s race on Tuesday by John
Gosden and the Oppenheimers.
Star Catcher appreciated the mile and a half at Ascot and is a threat to all today, when the outcome will probably be decided by which of these fillies has improved more in recent weeks.
Of the local fillies, Jessica Harrington’s Trethias and the unexposed, Dermot Weld-trained Search For A Song, step-up in class but have plenty of potential.
On the supporting card, last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas victor Romanised has excellent prospects, dropping to seven furlongs, in the Group 2 Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes.
And despite the presence of Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten Pistoletto, I’ll take a chance with the Ger Lyons-trained filly Soul Search, foiled by the
experienced Love on her debut at Leopardstown, in the Group 3 Jebel Ali racecourse Anglesey Stakes.
Peter O’Hehir's tips
2.15.Iberia
2.50.Crafty Madam
3.25.Smash Williams
4.00.Soul Search
4.35.Romanised
5.10.Iridessa
5.45.Royal Illusion (Nap)
6.20.Mia Maria
Next Best
2.15.Jungle Cove
2.50.Leagan Gaeilge
3.25.Ice Cold In Alex
4.00.Pistoletto
4.35.Mr.Lupton
5.10.Pink Dogwood
5.45.Forest View
6.20.Bellakris
Double: Romanised and Royal Illusion.
O’Hehir’s Longshot: Verhoyen (3.25.)
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