Tuesday 11 June 2019

The Irish Fillies Contenders (Royal Ascot 2019)

Last year saw Aidan O’Brien come close to winning the Queen Mary Stakes with Gossamer Wings who finished second and So Perfect close up in fourth, while Fairyland ran a great race to finish fourth in the Albany Stakes, so let's take a look at a couple of his leading contenders this year plus a couple of other Irish contenders. 

Etoile runs for the Aidan O’Brien yard and looks to be their main hope of success in the Albany Stakes on Friday but with the O’Brien yard you just never know as we have seen in recent years. This War Front filly made her debut in the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint Stakes (Group 3) at Naas and opened up 16/1 before being nibbled down to 12/1 at the off, despite this being her first run she looked professional and ran on to beat the more experienced Peace Charter. That was a lovely performance, and she will have come on a ton for that win. 

Current RPR 100 (6/1 BO Albany Stakes) 

Ickworth runs for the W McCreery yard and owned by Godolphin, I guess this filly could have gone in the Godolphin post. This homebred Shamardal filly has had two runs to date, first was back in March at Dundalk, she didn’t beat much that day but won with plenty in hand. Next up was the First Flier Stakes (Listed Race) at Curragh in May, again not fancied at 8/1 but winning well, this performance showed that Aidan O’Brien is not the only Irish trainer with a live chance at Royal Ascot this year. She beat the odds on O’Brien colt King Neptune by just over 2-lengths and showed that McCreery has a serious filly on his hands. 

Current RPR 97 (8/1 BO Queen Mary Stakes) 

Tango is another for the Aidan O’Brien yard. This 200,000 gns No Nay Never filly has run twice this season, first when second on her debut in May and was out again on the 8th June when beating an average field. The 1/6 favourite was always in control and gained some valuable experience that will stand her in good stead against better class horses at Ascot. 

Current RPR 89 (20/1 BO Queen Mary Stakes, 14/1 BO Albany Stakes) 

Albigna runs for the Jessica Harrington yard. This homebred Zoffany filly was up against a few of the O’Brien newcomers on her debut (In fact the O’Briens had six in the field) but that didn’t stop Albigna putting herself in with a chance of glory at Royal Ascot. Settling in behind the leaders this athletic looking filly ran on well and got up in the last strides to beat Aidan O’Briens Royal Ascot-bound Tango. A great debut and if she runs will have learned a lot from that debut. 

Current RPR 85 (20/1 BO Albany Stakes) 

Peace Charter runs for the Ger Lyons Yard. This War Front filly is another Irish superstar that will be heading to Ascot with a great chance. Owned by K Abdullah, she made her debut back in April beating So Wonderful by half a length, second time out she was put in her place by the O’Brien newcomer Etoile in the Coolmore Stud Irish Ebf Fillies' Sprint Stakes at Naas but staying on well at the finish. Heads to Ascot full of confidence and should give a good account of herself. 

Current RPR 99 (16/1 BO Albany Stakes) Thanks for reading and good luck.

1 comment:

  1. Another great blog post. Can't for Royal Ascot 2019.

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