Eight declared for Irish Oaks

Eight runners have been confirmed for Saturday’s Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

SAVETHELASTDANCE winning the Cheshire Oaks at Chester in England.
SAVETHELASTDANCE winning the Cheshire Oaks at Chester in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Lambada was the only filly withdrawn at the declaration stage, with Aidan O'Brien's four contenders remaining in the race.

Savethelastdance is the current favourite for the Irish Classic, following her second behind Soul Sister in the Epsom Oaks. She was a visually outstanding twenty-two length winner of the Listed Chester Oaks on her penultimate start but had no excuses at Epsom when beaten one-and-three-quarter lengths.

Stablemate Warm Heart is an improving filly who chases a fourth consecutive victory after a comfortable success in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating the re-opposing Lumiere Rock and Bluestocking into second and third.

Azazat represents Dermot Weld after her second in the Group 3 Munster Oak Stakes behind Rosscarberry, whilst Jim Bolger's Comhra will be aiming to bounce back following a defeat in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes. Aidan O'Brien's two other runners, Be Happy and Library, make up the remainder of the eight-strong field.

1. Azazat - Chris Hayes
2. Be Happy - W J Lee
3. Bluestocking - C T Keane
4. Comhra - R P Cleary
5. Library - G M Ryan
6. Lumiere Rock - D McMonagle
7. Savethelastdance - R L Moore
8. Warm Heart - J A Heffernan


Racing and Sports