If breeding could guarantee success then Amethyst is already first past the post in tomorrow's Debutante Stakes at Leopardstown. The records show there are no such guarantees but Amethyst should still finish the valuable Listed contest in front.
A full sister to the brilliant 2,000 Guineas winner King Of Kings, Amethyst was a comparatively easy to back favourite on her debut at Naas in May but could not have won any easier, eventually running out a four and a half length winner from Lindissima.
Afterwards, Aidan O'Brien was moved to say that Amethyst has inherited some of her brother's brilliance. O'Brien is not usually prone to hyperbole without cause but Amethyst will have to prove him right to beat the consistent Desert Sky tomorrow.
Jim Bolger's filly is tied in with most of the top juvenile form so far this season, won a Listed race over six furlongs here last time and missed the Lowther at York to wait for this.
She is very much the proven article as compared to Amethyst's potential but Desert Sky has to concede 3lbs and O'Brien should have been able to size her up by now.
Of the others, the Roscommon winner Preseli and the course fourth Dance Of Love are clearly decent but Amethyst should be able to add more black type to an already illustrious pedigree.
The other Listed race is the Ballycullen Stakes over a mile and six where General Cloney can continue his winning run.
A horse who couldn't get his head in front as a two year old, General Cloney has strengthened into his imposing frame all summer and saved his best yet when making all in the Ulster Derby.
That brought his rating to 102 but it would be wrong to presume that General Cloney has stopped improving. He can't afford to in this company as the dual Royal Ascot winner San Sebastian tops the weights, the easy Galway winner Twickenham sticks with his winning distance and Royal Rebel travels from Britain.
The biggest danger of all could be the Dermot Weld trained Orange Sunset but General Cloney is selected to continue his sparkling season.
The victory of Chipperchatter at Tipperary on Thursday confirmed the return to form of Pat Flynn's horses and it would be unwise to ignore the claims of King Of The Wire, third to Corrientes at the Curragh in May, in the AIB Handicap.
Royal Dane reverts to nine furlongs for the Strathmore Handicap after failing to stay behind Theatreworld at Galway and John Murtagh's mount should now be in peak from.
