Irish Oaks
15:45 Curragh, Saturday
Live on ITV
1. Azazat (Dermot Weld/ Chris Hayes)
Confirmed reappearance promise when winning maiden at Leopardstown. Improved again when ½-length second of 8 to Rosscarbery in Munster Oaks at Cork (1½m, good to soft) 36 days ago. May do better again but this a jump in class.
2. Be Happy (Aidan O'Brien/ Billy Lee)
Improved when third in 10.5f Saint-Cloud Group 3 on reappearance and backed that up when 1¾ lengths second of 9 to Eternal Hope in Lingfield Oaks Trial (1½m, AW) 10 weeks ago. This stiffer test at the trip should see her in a better light.
3. Bluestocking (Ralph Beckett/ Colin Keane)
Bred in the purple and overcame inexperience to make a striking winning debut in 1m Salisbury novice last autumn. Has shaped well when placed behind Warm Heart in Newbury listed race and the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm) this season. Highly likely more to come after just three starts.
4. Comhra (Jim Bolger/ Rory Cleary)
Much improved when third in the Irish 1000 Guineas here in May but failed to back it up when 19¾ lengths last of 9 to Via Sistina in Pretty Polly Stakes here (1¼m, good) 21 days ago.
5. Library (Aidan O'Brien/ Gavin Ryan)
Useful filly. Won listed race at Naas in June. Only 7½ lengths seventh in Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown since. Stiff task.
6. Lumiere Rock (Joseph O'Brien/ Dylan Browne McMonagle)
Useful filly. Course winner. 14/1, very good 2½ lengths second of 17 to Warm Heart in Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm), with the reopposing Bluestocking in third.
7. Savethelastdance (Aidan O'Brien/ Ryan Moore)
Rapid improver who won the Cheshire Oaks by a remarkable 22 lengths. Beaten favourite in the Oaks at Epsom next time but she still performed with plenty of credit to finish 1¾ lengths second to Soul Sister. Leading claims.
8. Warm Heart (Aidan O'Brien/ Seamie Heffernan)
Galileo filly who is improving at a rate of knots, having Bluestocking behind her for a second time when completing a hat-trick in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm; Lumiere Rock 2½ lengths back in second). Should go well again.
Timeform Analyst's Verdict:
Savethelastdance is taken to make up for her short-priced reversal in the Oaks at Epsom by landing the Irish version. Warm Heart can confirm her Ribblesdale superiority over Bluestocking and Lumiere Rock and give her stablemate most to do.
1. Savethelastdance
2. Warm Heart
3. Bluestocking