Magical. Indeed she is. It was a bit disappointing for the purists that Ghaiyyath ran a little below par yesterday.
Sports fans can't but warm to Aidan O'Brien's wonder mare though. She just turns up for work, and gives her all every time.
Off to the Curragh we go. Drying conditions mean we should be looking at good ground.
2.00pm Irish Stallion Farms 'Bold Lad' Handicap
Mr Lupton showed signs of life last time out. He has the back class to make his current handicap mark look very lenient. Gulliver was just pipped on his last trip to the Curragh. He can run well again.
Selection: Mr Lupton 14/1
2.35pm Moyglare Blanford Stakes
Thundering Nights is a likeable, progressive sort. She took the notable scalp of Albigna on her first foray into group company. Further improvement is needed here. It seems reasonable to suppose she can find the requisite progression. Elfin Queen was a bitter disappointment last time out. She's better than that, and can outrun enormous odds.
Selection: Thundering Nights 8/1
3.10pm Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)
A'Ali put in a below par run in York last time out. It could pay to forgive that effort. He has the beating of race favourite Make A Challenge. Que Amoro will attempt to burn them off from the front. It won't be easy but she's greatly feared.
Selection: A'Ali 9/2
3.40pm Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1)
Pretty Gorgeous heads the betting here. She was most impressive over course and distance last time out. That day she avenged her only career defeat, which came at the hands of Shale. Pretty Gorgeous will be hard to beat but I can leave her alone at the prices. Divinely rates the selection. She came good, at this track, on her fourth start. That was a big step up on her previous runs. She will need to take another leap forward here. That's possible though, and she looks to have been unfairly dismissed in the betting.
Selection: Divinely 25/1
4.10pm Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)
This looks a highly competitive renewal. Battleground, Master Of The Seas and Lucky Vega were all impressive winners last time out. It's easy enough to pick holes in the form of all three races though. My hunch is that Battleground is the most professional of the trio. That could make the difference today. Thunder Moon made a striking debut over course and distance. The form of that race has taken plenty of knocks but he's not dismissed.
Selection: Battleground 10/3
4.40pm Comer Group International Irish St. Leger
This doesn't look a vintage renewal. Twilight Payment and Sovereign are similar types. Honest but limited. If Search For A Song could rediscover the form that saw her triumph in last year's renewal of this race, she would probably win. That's a big if though. Fujaira Prince looks the way to go. This highly progressive sort was a snug enough winner of the Ebor last time out. That race is a handicap in name only these days. This lightly raced sort should have more in the locker, though he may not need to improve at all to emerge victorious.
Selection: Fujaira Prince 7/2
5.15pm Tattersalls Ireland Sales Stakes
A minefield. Street Kid looks a talented, if tricky, customer. He probably has the ability to take this race if putting his best foot forward. Star Of Orion shouldn't be far away.
Selection: Street Kid 14/1
5.50pm Irish Stallion Farms 'Northfields' Handicap
Sonnyboyliston can defy the assessor. His latest win has worked out well. A 13 pound rise in the handicap may not be enough. Kipling has an attractive profile for this race.
Selection: Sonnyboyliston 6/1
