LUSH LASHES is expected to maintain her position at the top of ante-post betting for Sunday's Irish Oaks after today's crucial forfeit stage as trainer Jim Bolger looks to mark a significant classic anniversary at the Curragh this weekend.
It is quarter of a century since Bolger landed the first classic success of his illustrious career when Give Thanks won a memorable renewal of the Irish Oaks in 1983.
The trainer subsequently added to that in 2002 with Margarula's shock 33 to 1 win in the race, and Lush Lashes is a 2 to 1 favourite with Cashmans to carry the same colours to success on Sunday.
The Galileo filly landed the Group One Coronation Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot on her last start. Previously, Lush Lashes had started favourite for the Epsom Oaks but finished only fifth behind Look Here.
Moonstone did best of the Irish at Epsom when runner-up, and she appears to be the main hope for Aidan O'Brien, who is pursuing a classic clean-sweep in Ireland this year after Guineas wins for Henrythenavigator and Halfway To Heaven, as well as Frozen Fire's Derby victory.
The champion trainer has landed the last two renewals of the Oaks, with Alexandrova (2006) and Peeping Fawn last season.
It's a curious fact that as well as O'Brien and Bolger, the other two training powerhouses in Ireland, Dermot Weld and John Oxx, have also scored twice in the mile-and-a-half fillies classic, and Oxx's Katiyra is set to attempt to follow Ebadiyla (1997) and Winona (1998).
Weld, who first won the Oaks in 1981 with Blue Wind, will work both Chinese White and Mad About You this morning before deciding about running plans for Sunday.
"It's quite possible both could run in the Oaks but we will work them before making a final decision," said Weld, who also scored an Oaks victory with Dance Design (1996).
Mad About You followed up her Irish 1,000 Guineas second with another Group One runner-up placing in the Pretty Polly Stakes 10 days ago.
Chinese White, however, hasn't been seen since finishing down the field at Epsom after being well fancied to pick up the English classic. Chinese White also holds an entry this weekend in the nine furlong Group Three Keeneland International Stakes on Saturday.
There will be other Group One European action this Sunday, with the one mile Prix Jean Prat run at Chantilly. Eddie Lynam's Tetrarch winner Capt Chaos and Aidan O'Brien's Plan figure among the entries for the €400,000 three-year-old event that could be a target for both Raven's Pass and the French Guineas hero Falco.
However, both Irish horses have alternative entries at the Curragh on Saturday. Plan is among seven Ballydoyle options for the Keeneland International Stakes, while Capt Chaos may remain at home for the seven-furlong Minstrel Stakes.
The ground at the Curragh yesterday was officially described as "yielding" on the round course and "soft" on the straight.
