Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ballydoyle seven in Irish Oaks
ANTE-POST favourite
Magic Wand and Investec Oaks heroine Forever Together head a sevenstrong Ballydoyle presence among the 15 acceptors for Saturday’s Darley Irish
Oaks at the Curragh.
Fourth in the Epsom classic, Magic Wand had earlier won the Cheshire Oaks and was particularly impressive when landing the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot last time.
Meanwhile, Forever Together, which broke her maiden in great style at Epsom, was probably caught out on quicker ground, and over a mile and a quarter, in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last time. The make-up of the Ballydoyle challenge will become clearer in the coming days.
But William Haggas has confirmed Sea Of Class, winner of a listed event at Newbury in mid-june, will take her chance. And the Sea The Stars filly, whose stable-companion Dramatic Queen in also among the acceptors, is vying for favouritism with Magic Wand, whose stablecompanions September and Bye Bye Baby are also expected to line-up.
Five of the fillies which stood their ground for the classic yesterday also hold engagements in the Kilboy Estates Stakes, also at the Curragh on Sunday.
Killarney continues its Festival with a mixed card and Fairyhouse stages eight races on the level today.
Successful with 20/1 debutante Iridessa in last night’s opener, Joseph O’brien supplies today’s nap, the once-raced High Mounte, in the Corcoran Furniture & Carpets Maiden at the southern venue.
This strapping Sea The Stars colt impressed when finishing second to subsequent winner Lethal Power in Roscommon and gets the nod over Legal Spin, second on debut behind Victory Salute in Cork.
The versatile former Irish St Leger winner Wicklow Brave sets the standard in the Ross Hotel Race (6.30).