Ten Remain In Irish Oaks

Curvy | Racing Post

Godolphin's Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was the only high-profile absentee as ten distaffers remain engaged for Saturday's G1 Darley Irish Oaks at The Curragh after Thursday's declaration stage. However, the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine's omission does not detract from what is still a highly competitive renewal of the 12-furlong Classic. With rider Ryan Moore confined to the sidelines, Wayne Lordan will be reacquainted with G2 Ribblesdale S. victress and likely favorite Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), whose half-sister Thakafaat (Ire) (Unfuwain) ran seventh in the 2005 edition, and she has been allocated the two spot on the inside at the right-handed track. The David Wachman trainee meets with a quartet of Aidan O'Brien runners which includes the hitherto unbeaten Words (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), a daughter of the 2008 winner Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who gets the outside 10 box alongside stable-mate Kissed by Angels (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Epsom Oaks winner Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who ran sixth in last month's G1 Irish Derby, drew stall six next to Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in seven.

The British contingent was trimmed by one to three with Normandie Stud's Gretchen (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) getting the four hole, supplemented Listed Hoppings S. victress Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) in eight, and Listed Ballymacoll Stud S. winner Speedy Boarding (GB) (Shamardal) in three. “We have had to spend all the money Covert Love has won this year [to supplement her], but it has rather crept up on us,” said conditioner Hugo Palmer. “She is not exuberant at home and saves her best for the track. On ratings, she only has a couple of lengths to find.” Trainer James Fanshawe was embedded at Sir Michael Stoute's Newmarket base when the Helena Springfield silks last visited the winner's circle atop Colorspin (Fr) (High Top {Ire}) in 1986, and he is optimistic Speedy Boarding will do justice to the black-and-white colors, “She is in excellent form at home and we hope that she does herself justice. She is a big filly with a long stride which she'll be able to use. On Wednesday morning she stretched her legs on The Limekilns [gallops], which were riding superbly, and she looked to be loving it. Everything is crossed for a big run.”

Despite Pleascach's absence, trainer Jim Bolger still has representation and will saddle Leopardstown maiden winner Stellar Glow (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who is drawn against the fence in one. Gerard Byrne's Jack Naylor (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) has fallen short in the three straight Group 1 tests and will exit the five slot coming back off a sixth in the Epsom equivalent.

 

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