3 days ago
Bubble Gum can see off Munster Oaks rivals at Cork
Successful over course and distance on her Irish debut back in early April, Bubble Gum might repeat the feat in the Group 3 Darley Munster Oaks in Cork.
A four-year-old Cloth Of Stars filly, she won twice when trained by Fabrice Chappet in France and impressed on her first start for Paddy Twomey when beating one of tonight's rivals Ameerat Jumaira in the listed Noblesse Stakes in Cork, travelling powerfully throughout before leading at the furlong-pole and going away to score by a length and a half.
Goodie Two Shoes, who finished third that day, has boosted the form by recording two listed wins, in the Vintage Tipple in Gowran Park and His Majesty's Plate in Down Royal.
Bubble Gum, whose wins in France came at Saint-Cloud and Longchamp, on heavy and soft ground respectively, was tackling a mile and a half for the first time in the Noblesse, coped well and, stepping up in grade, might be capable of landing this prestigious prize.
Twomey also runs another French import Magical Hope, third to Trustyourinstinct in a recent listed event at the Curragh on her Irish debut. She must also enter calculations.
Dermot Weld's seasonal debutante Elizabeth Jane, a creditable fourth in the Irish Oaks last July, also has obvious claims, as does the Willie McCreery-trained Enfranchise.
Back to the scene of his maiden success, the Ger Lyons-trained Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victor Magnum Force returns to Cork to contest the listed Midsummer Sprint.
But, disappointing, when needing the run, on his 2025 debut at Naas, he might struggle to reverse form with Andy Slattery's Powerful Nation, runner-up to Bucanero Fuerte in the Sole Power, almost six lengths ahead of Magnum Force.
Earlier, Natalia Lupini's seven-furlong specialist Dunum, down the field behind Copacabana Sands in a listed contest in Naas last time, might reward each-way support in the valuable Mallow Handicap.
There's also Flat action in Fairyhouse where Joseph O'Brien's Delta, third to Carmers at Navan last time out, might outpoint some interesting older rivals, notably triple bumper-winner Seo Linn, in the Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden.
