Irish Oaks 2013

6.15 Curragh

Darley Irish Oaks (Group 1) (3yo)

Winner: €232,000 Runners: 8 Distance: 1m4f Going: Good To Firm

Advice: 1 pt win Chicquita (11/2 Bet Victor, Ladbrokes), Venus De Milo (15/2 Boylesports)

 

Alive Alive Oh: Only the one start at two but with that, promise as she was third to subsequent classic winner Magician, and built on that tenfold with exacting start to classic season, getting off the mark readily at Cork in March on testing ground before really routing the opposition in Listed event at Navan; Looked well upto this level but not seen since then on account of ground in Ribblesdale and being in season for Pretty Polly; Respected here even if ground a question.

Chicquita: Promising debut on only two year old start and set to win impressively (would have reversed form with her conqueror on debut) but for clipping heels on seasonal return at Saint Cloud; Then belied odds when second in French Oaks, proving to be a rather awkward ride but snatching second close to the line from quality field; This step up in trip must suit and fine form chance today while Johnny Murtagh likely to get on well with her.

Just Pretending: Won Irish 1,000 Guineas trial and then third in the actual event, sticking on well for third late on; Seemed to handle trip just fine when second in Ribblesdale to Riposte but outsped and outstayed and don’t expect to see her doing any better here.

Magical Dream: Would appear to be only the third string for Ballydoyle today but reason to think she can get closer to Alive Alive Oh on 3lbs better terms with a stronger gallop and faster ground, and just edged out by Midnight Soprano when stepped up to this trip at Cork for first time; Could outrun odds.

Riposte: Rapidly progressive, benefitting from debut experience and step up in trip to land 1m4f Newmarket maiden in fine style before stepping up again when most taking winner of Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, providing fine sentimental moment for Lady Cecil while also suggesting that she was worth try at Group 1 level when beating Just Pretending in style; Should go well here.

Scintuilla: Having only her second start when runner-up to Sky Lantern in the Moyglare but not quite lived upto same heights since and this step up in trip and class is a big one after her fourth in Listed event at the Curragh latest.

 

Talent: Always likely to improve with stepping up in trip and huge promise in Listed Newmarket win on return given how keen she was, and duly fulfilled that promise with clear cut Oaks win, benefitting from strong early pace to come through and win very handily in the end despite keenness and not looking like she was in love with the track; Obvious potential to do better still and greatly respected here given race may suit well once again.

Venus De Milo: Plenty of support for her before beating favourite on debut at Fairyhouse (1m4f), getting there readily, but much more impressive when coping with drop in trip to land 1m2f Listed event in nick of time, coming easily widest of them into home straight despite not having the clearest of runs either (had to be switched); This obviously a different level but return back to 1m4f sure to suit her and bring out a lot more improvement.

VERDICT: A quality renewal bringing together the English and French formlines with unexposed contenders a plenty. Talent’s impressive Oaks success and Riposte’s Ribbesdale win entitle them to lead the market, but CHIQUITA’S French Oaks second is arguably as strong from a forline perspective and the improvement that is possible for stepping up in trip makes her arguably the most exciting prospect here, so she’s given the vote on the basis that Johnny Murtagh can get the best out of her. Next best is VENUS DE MILO, who won only a small event last time but was so taking in doing so that she can’t be ignored back up to this trip, even ahead of Alive Alive Oh.