“Welcome to this week’s preview which comes from the Curragh as it’s Irish Oaks Day. There’s a whole host of top drawer racing on the card with several Group races, of which I’ll be sharing my punts on the site as well. I’ll be focusing on the feature itself though in this particular preview, where I’ll take a look at the feature race and who I fancy.
Over the last week, I had two days of punting on the site, mainly focused in Ireland at Killarney and Leopardstown. Both days ended in profit, with an over 40/1 treble landing at the Dublin track on Thursday with Delphi (9/4), Rocky Blue (4/1) and Gin Blossom (13/8) all winning.” – Jordan
Irish Oaks
Heading this year’s renewal of the Irish Oaks is the Jessica Harrington trained Cayenne Pepper who’s the mount of Shane Foley. Trading at a general 2/1, she was last seen when finishing over four lengths behind Magical in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes here back in June. She won three on the spin last term including a Group 3 which was also at this track, before going on to finish fourth of nine in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for four of the runners in the field, and these are headed by Ennistymon who will be ridden by Wayne Lordan. She’s currently at around 5/2 in the betting and arrives here off the back of two second-place efforts, one in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, behind Frankly Darling and her latest effort coming in the Epsom Oaks where she reversed the form with that rival but was beaten by stablemate Love. Snow is the next O’Brien horse in the betting at a current best price of 6/1, she was last seen when winning the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork and will be ridden here by Michael Hussey. Also representing Team Ballydoyle is Laburnum who’s a 12/1 chance and is the mount of Declan McDonogh, she was narrowly denied in a Listed race the last day, and concluding the four is 20/1 outsider Passion.
Even So is another interesting runner, a smart filly who got the better of Laburnum in the Oaks Trial last time. She can be found at around 12/1 here for the team of Ger Lyons and Colin Keane.
My Punt:
I like the chances of ENNISTYMON here to give Aidan another classic success. I think she brings the best form to the table here despite the favourite also placing in Group 1 company last time, but was well beaten by Magical. The way Ennistymon reversed the form with Frankly Darling last time gave the impression to me that she’s still improving, and I believe if she continues that level of improvement here she could prove too good for this lot.
Everything Racing 