Irish Oaks: Aidan O’Brien ready to launch strong challenge in fillies’ Classic
AIDAN O'BRIEN will be chasing another Magical result in the Irish Oaks on Saturday.
The record-breaking trainer saddles three runners, including the favourite 11-8 Magic Wand, in the hunt for his sixth win in the race.
The daughter of Galileo ran out a commanding winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
On her previous outing, she finished fourth behind stablemate Forever Together in the Oaks at Epsom, and the pair are set to cross swords again.
Forever Together has suffered a defeat since, when running second in the Pretty Polly Stakes over 1m2f, but O'Brien is pleased with both fillies ahead of the €400,000 feature.
O'Brien said: "Magic Wand seems to be in good form since Ascot. Obviously she likes a nice bit of ground. It was nice in Ascot.
IRISH OAKS CARD All the latest runners, riders and odds for the Irish Oaks at the Curragh
"Forever Together is in good form as well. She ran a nice race the last day and she looked like a filly that will appreciate going further.
"She's back to a mile and a half like the Epsom Oaks again.
"I don't think the ground is too important with her. I just think she probably stays very well."
With Ryan Moore set to partner Magic Wand, Donnacha O'Brien will again ride Forever Together having guided the filly home at Epsom last month.
The jockey said: "If she comes back to her Epsom form she'll be bang there.
"I think the trip probably wasn't ideal (in the Pretty Polly). She races lazily and she has cheekpieces on on Saturday.
"Maybe the ground might be a little bit easier, so that would be in her favour I think."
O'Brien's team is completed by Group 3 winner Bye Bye Baby, who was third in the Oaks and fourth in the Pretty Polly.
The chief danger to O'Brien's runners looks to be William Haggas' Sea Of Class, who has impressed in winning back-to-back Listed races over 1m2f.
Haggas said: "Sea Of Class is in good form, we are very happy with her and she pleased us when she worked at Newmarket last week.
"It will be a tough race, but we are looking forward to it. We think a mile and a half is the trip she wants now and the Curragh should suit.
"She is out of a Hernando mare and there is plenty of stamina in the family, but she has got speed as well, so we are excited."
The seven-runner field is rounded off by Joseph O'Brien's Tissiak, the Willie McCreery-trained Mary Tudor and Romiyna for Dermot Weld.