Minnie Hauk heads nine remaining in Irish Oaks
The Frankel filly, who had won a trial at Chester prior to gaining Classic success, has been waiting for this weekend while Whirl has already franked the form by beating the year-older Kalpana in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
Her trainer Aidan O'Brien has not been as dominant in the Irish Oaks as the Irish Derby, but he still holds the record for the most wins with seven, with Savethelastdance two years ago his most recent.
As ever, the main danger to the ante-post odds-on favourite could come from within Ballydoyle. Whirl has been left in, but O'Brien did suggest after she won the Pretty Polly that the big two would be kept apart.
Bedtime Story, Butterfly Wings, Island Hopping and Merrily complete the six-strong entry for the yard.
Fozzy Stack's Bay Colony, Johnny Murtagh's Subsonic and Joseph O'Brien's Wemightakedlongway are the only other confirmations.
O'Brien also has four of the eight in the GAIN Railway Stakes, including Queen Mary winner True Love.
First Approach, Flushing Meadows and Puerto Rico are his others, while Joseph O'Brien could run Green Sense.
Adrian Murray's Power Blue and the Ger Lyons-trained Learntodoscover are also possibles.
George Baker's Desert Cop, Mick and David Easterby's in-form Canon's House and Mick Appleby's Kodi Lion are among 19 left in the Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap, for which Big Gossey tops the weights.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
18 hours ago
- The 42
Wonderful Whirl powers to Nassau Stakes glory
AIDAN O'BRIEN'S Whirl dominated the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, to record her second Group One success of the season. The previous race, the Gordon Stakes, was subject to a small delay due to a torrential downpour, and when almost 30 millimetres of rain fell in half an hour, the going was changed to heavy. Advertisement With lightning in the area, too, the starting stalls were deemed too dangerous to use and following a flag start, Ryan Moore took the bull by the horns and sent the Oaks runner-up into the lead. The Musidora and Pretty Polly winner, who lost out only narrowly at Epsom to stablemate Minnie Hauk, was always in control, and while See The Fire briefly looked a threat, Moore had saved plenty and Whirl pulled five lengths clear as the 6-5 favourite. Cecerne, a surprise winner of the Coronation Stakes, kept on well for second on her first run over 10 furlongs. O'Brien said: 'It's incredible really, she's a home-bred filly by Wootton Bassett who has all the options in front of her. She could go to the Arc, the Arc trials, and the Breeders' Cup as well. 'In the spring, when the fillies worked, it was Whirl who came up in front. Minnie Hauk is a great traveller, a great cruiser, and we won't see the best of her until she goes up in class against older horses. 'Even when she was following this filly at Epsom, she was finding it very easy to follow her, but listen, we don't know what this filly is yet either. We saw what happened at Epsom, where Ryan (on Minnie Hauk) was very confident that he was going to go and get her, but she just kept coming with him. 'When they do come together, we will find out who is the best.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne: 'We have our eyes on a good result'
John Russell insists Sligo Rovers won't be lulled into a false sense of security against Shelbourne on Saturday night. The League of Ireland champions are just back from Azerbaijan where they bowed out of the Champions League to Qarabag on Wednesday. Joey O'Brien's men lost 1-0 on the night in Baku, and 4-0 on aggregate, and will soon be travelling to Croatia to play Rijeka on Wednesday. But even if Shels are tired from their exertions, and have one eye on next week's high stakes Europa League mission, Russell doubts the Reds will be complacent tonight. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Not with O'Brien reminding his team in Baku that they need to get their act together in the league to ensure they have European nights to savour next season. Bit O'Red boss Russell said: 'They had a tough two games against Qarabag, but I'm sure they learned loads. Yes, they had to travel but they have a big squad that's more than capable of dealing with the rotation required. 'They'll look to come here and get back on track. It's going to be a tough game for us against Shels. We're playing the current champions and that always means a big test but we're all looking forward to another game in front of our fans. 'We're in good form and we have our eyes on a good result at the Showgrounds.' Sligo Rovers have made some impressive signings in this summer window, and are already feeling the benefits as they try to dodge the relegation playoff. Ciaron Harkin arrived from Derry City this week and is the sixth new face after Patrick McClean, Seb Quirk, Ryan O'Kane, James McManus and Sean Stewart. Sligo Rovers manager John Russell (Image: INPHO/Bryan Keane) O'Kane - who scored the last minute winner in last week's thrilling 3-2 win away to Cork City - is unavailable tonight due to the terms of his loan deal from Shelbourne. But Russell is excited by what Harkin can offer as the midfielder looks to rebuild his career after back-to-back ACL injuries. 'We're looking forward to seeing how Ciaron settles in and we've no doubt he'll be a big player for us,' said the Rovers boss in an interview on the club website. Jake Doyle-Hayes has left Sligo Rovers after joining Exeter City on a two-year deal while Francely Lomboto completed a move to Glenavon. 'We've had a bit of movement within the squad with both Jake and Francely moving on but that's happened here before and we move on also,' added Russell. Shelbourne boss O'Brien made eight changes to his side for Wednesday's test against Qarabag and will shake up his team again tonight. New signings Milan Mbeng and Sean Moore could play a part and O'Brien said: 'Sligo is the next game and it's the biggest game for us. If you want European nights again next year, and be playing at this level again, you have to take care of business in your league.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Easing ground conditions can help course winner Nans View in Galway festival feature
Wet weather might have been Galway festival spoilsport at times this week but it could prove crucial to Nans View's chances of winning Friday evening's feature. The Jarlath Fahey-trained filly is one of 18 lining up for the €110,000 Guinness Handicap and gets in at the bottom of the weights. Nans View won over the course and distance on heavy going last October and although conditions won't be as testing as that this time, an ease in the going does appear to be vital to her. She put in an encouraging effort at Navan in June when runner-up to Ragmans Corner, and the latter gave that form a boost by finishing third to Fely Bay in Monday's big race. It's 24 years since a three-year-old beat their seniors in this race but Aidan O'Brien pitches Acapulco Bay into it on the back of a third to Emit at Gowran last weekend. It's 30 years since Jim Bolger won the day five highlight, but the veteran trainer is represented by his Irish Derby-day winner Fleetfoot. That Curragh performance looks an important piece of form in this context although ultimately conditions may have come up suitable for Nans View. Proven course form can also prove crucial to Friday's big jumps contest, the €80,000 Galway Blazers Handicap Chase, where Neveradullmoment looks to hold a leading chance. A winner over hurdles and fences at Ballybrit, the JP McManus runner ran twice in May, including behind the subsequent Plate winner Western Fold in the Mayo National. Friday evening's card traditionally sees a change in the profile of those attending the festival, with a younger clientele descending on Ballybrit as part of their Bank Holiday weekend. A good start could be provided by Bellamano in the opening two-year-old auction maiden. Johnny Murtagh's filly has a plum draw in stall one and is proven on an easy surface having chased home A Boy Named Susie on her second racecourse start at Killarney. That winner earned some rave reviews, and his reputation could get a form boost here. Siding with Willie Mullins is always a popular choice and he can make his presence felt across the codes. Jarrive De Mee was progressive over hurdles last season and wound up running in Grade One company at Punchestown behind his stable companion Jasmin De Vaux. Patrick Mullins maintains his partnership with the former point-to-point winner who makes his debut over fences in a Beginners' Chase in which Mullins snr also runs Uncle Pat and Luckinthecity. More experienced rivals such as Sandor Clegane oppose but Jarrive De Mee looks one to progress again over the bigger obstacles. The champion jumps trainer runs both Bunting and Charlus in the later conditions flat event, where last year's winner Taipan is back to try again. Charlus boasts a 97 rating from his time in France when trained by Jean Claude Rouget and a first-time hood could help Séamus Heffernan get a winning tune out of him.
