The most successful trainer in Irish Oaks' history is Michael Stoute but while the legendary Newmarket handler isn't represented in this evening's fillies' Classic, he can still score a big-race Curragh success in tomorrow's Group Two feature with Dank.
Ryan Moore travels to HQ for the ride on a filly who was only just off Duntle at Royal Ascot last month and whose defeat of Chigun at Newmarket prior to that suggests the nine furlongs of the Kilboy Estate Stakes should be ideal.
Ground conditions shouldn’t be a problem either, something that can’t be said for another good four-year-old in Caponata, so the big dangers could be the three-year-olds Say, beaten less than two lengths in the Pretty Polly, and What Style, whose 1,000 Guineas effort is best forgotten considering her stable-form back then.
Tomorrow's other €100,000 prize, the Boylesports Rockingham Handicap, could also be destined for export with eight cross-channel raiders, including three from David O'Meara's yard, and a drop back to the minimum trip can help Dick Bos improve on his good run behind Burn The Boats on Derby weekend.
Tipperary’s black-type National Hunt action is the Grade Three Grimes Hurdle and a first start over the smaller obstacles in 15 months could be just what Steps To Freedom requires after again finishing runner up over fences at Killarney during the week.
A high-class novice over flights, Steps To Freedom will relish the going and is preferred to the mare Shadow Eile and So Young, who is probably best at shorter trips these days but could wind up out-kicked by his classy rival tomorrow.
Caim Hill's last pieces of form over fences – pulled up and unseated rider – are hardly encouraging but Philip Fenton's horse looked good when winning on the flat at Limerick last time and can pick up the Galway Plate Trial.
