The Curragh’s classic weekend sees a clash of the classic winners in Sunday’s Group One feature with connections of the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Pleascach hoping their decision to skip a Derby challenge pays off with a victory over the English Guineas winner Legatissimo.
Both fillies have come to the 10-furlong Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes on a somewhat circuitous route through a mile and a half but are top-rated to beat a top-notch field which includes a first clash with older horses.
Legatissimo enjoyed little luck in the Epsom Oaks yet still failed by just a nose to hold off the 50 to 1 outsider Qualify.
Pleascach also ran over a mile and a half just nine days ago in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot but any idea that might be some routine warm-up for a tilt at the Irish Derby was blown away by Curvy’s defeat.
The presence of Jack Hobbs as favourite for the Derby always meant dropping back in trip for the Pretty Polly was more likely for the Godolphin star and what Pleascach may really appreciate is a decent pace to allow her class shine through.
Ground conditions will dictate whether or not Forgotten Rules makes a quick reappearance after his Gold Cup defeat at Ascot in the Attheraces Curragh Cup.With an uncertain forecast into Sunday, Forgotten Rules could get the chance to defy topweight.
Profitable Sunday
Ryan Moore can enjoy a profitable Sunday on the juveniles
Most Beautiful
and
Shogun
,while
Cenotaph
should relish the drop back to seven furlongs for his handicap assignment.
Moore is on the English hope Air Pilot in the three-runner Group Three but if conditions stay quick, the versatile Parish Hall can emerge best.
