
Minnie Hauk has chance to join an illustrious roll of honour
The undoubted star of the show is Minnie Hauk, who six weeks ago got the better of a thrilling Epsom Oaks duel with stablemate Whirl, a subsequent Group One winner in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
Speaking earlier this week, O'Brien said: 'Minnie Hauk has been fine since Epsom, she had a little break and everything has been good since.'
The biggest threat to the odds-on favourite appears to be Joseph O'Brien's s Wemightakedlongway, who was just over five lengths behind Minnie Hauk when fourth at Epsom and then looked a little outpaced when occupying the same finishing position in the Pretty Polly.
'We are looking forward to running Wemightakedlongway. There is some rain forecast and any rain that falls we think might help her chances,' said O'Brien junior.
Johnny Murtagh, who rode a record six Irish Oaks winners during his illustrious career in the saddle, is represented by Subsonic. The Lope De Vega filly remains a maiden after two starts, but was only half a length behind Minnie Hauk on her on her Leopardstown debut in October.
The field is completed by Fozzy Stack's 85-rated outsider Bay Colony.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South Wales Guardian
10 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Day three of Goodwood hit by torrential rain
After the first two days took place in pleasant weather, the forecast always suggested conditions on day three could take a turn for the worse. The first race passed on good to firm ground, but as the runners gathered at the start for race two, the Markel Richmond Stakes, the storm clouds were gathering. Current conditions at Goodwood ⛈️☔️ — Molly Hunter (@mollhun) July 31, 2025 As Clive Cox's Coppull crossed the line in front, the heavens had opened and an almighty downpour ensued. It took no time at all for puddles to form in the paddock and clerk of the course Ed Arkell took the decision to call a temporary halt to proceedings. After a 20 minute dousing, the rain began to ease off and the meeting was allowed to get back under way. However, with lightning in the area the Gordon Stakes was started by flag, rather than stalls. There was also a delay to the feature Qatar Nassau Stakes with the course keen for the day's main attraction to begin via starting stalls, with Arkell telling ITV Racing: 'We've had 26mm in 20 minutes or so and we'll make a ground change and it will probably be heavy. 'We might have a delay to the Group One while they get the lightning out of the way so they can use the stalls with it being a Group One. It's very important for the integrity of the race but it's a decision for the stewards, the starters, the jockeys and myself. 'If we can possibly use starting stalls by holding a race up by five minutes or so that would be great. 'Your guess is as good as mine as to how much more rain is to come, there's some more about and we weren't forecast this, but I'm not sure the forecast is that reliable at the moment.'


Powys County Times
10 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances
Last year's runner-up Ndaawi was called the winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle after first past the post Helvic Dream was demoted by the stewards. It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi's trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously. Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight. However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings. Following a stewards' enquiry, Ndaawi is awarded the @GuinnessIreland Galway Hurdle 🏆 — Galway Races (@Galway_Races) July 31, 2025 Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday's Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: 'We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win. 'Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn't a day goes by that we don't talk and we have great banter, but that's the way it goes unfortunately. 'The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it. 'It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can't believe it.' On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: 'There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.' Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision. He told Racing TV: 'I didn't think we'd lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn't have to stop riding. 'I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it.'

Rhyl Journal
11 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances
It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi's trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously. Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight. However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings. Following a stewards' enquiry, Ndaawi is awarded the @GuinnessIreland Galway Hurdle 🏆 — Galway Races (@Galway_Races) July 31, 2025 Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday's Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: 'We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win. 'Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn't a day goes by that we don't talk and we have great banter, but that's the way it goes unfortunately. 'The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it. 'It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can't believe it.' On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: 'There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.' Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision. He told Racing TV: 'I didn't think we'd lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn't have to stop riding. 'I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it.'