The Group One Kerrygold Irish Oaks Saturday 20th July 2019

Pink Dogwood for Aidan O’Brien heads the market for Saturday’s Group One Kerrygold Irish Oaks (due off at 5.10) with Pretty Polly Stakes winner Iridessa, trained by son Joseph, second favourite for the race at the Curragh following declarations on Thursday morning; Aidan O'Brien has three of the 10 runners.

The John Gosden trained G.2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Star Catcher was supplemented at a cost of €40,000 on Tuesday and is available at 9-2 best - which I have. John Gosden and Anthony Oppenheimer making the decision to send her across the Irish Sea is not to be underestimated with the Newmarket trainer going for a third success in the Irish Classic – the man of the moment Frankie Dettori will ride. She is open to improvement still having only raced four times and I think can give the home team a running lesson in their own backyard. 

Talking earlier this week her owner said “We'd like to have a nice Group 1 filly and we're looking forward to it," Oppenheimer said on Tuesday. I think we've got a genuinely good chance.  It's a big prize and it's very exciting. If you've won a Group 2 you've really got to go for a Group 1. We need some rain, but rain is forecast for Dublin on Friday so hopefully, we get some. She is coming to hand nicely and Mr Gosden is very pleased with her."