The highlight of Saturday’s card at the Curragh is the 1m2f Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (3:25), which has been won by champion race mares such as Alexander Goldrun, Izzi Top and Minding.
Joseph O'Brien has dominated the race in recent years with victories in 2019 and 2021 with Iridessa and Thundering Nights. The trainer is represented by Above The Curve, winner of the course and distance Group 2 Blandford Stakes in September. Disappointing on seasonal reappearance, the four-year-old bounced back to win the Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud and looks a rock-solid contender with Ryan Moore booked to ride. Although statistically her best performances have come on ground with a bit of give, she's US-bred by American Pharoah and the going (good) is expected to suit.
Via Sistina's devastating six-length victory in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes was one of the highlights of Newmarket Guineas weekend and the George Boughey-trained mare tries Group 1 company for the first time. She was a winner of a ten-furlong French Group 3 in Toulouse in November so the distance shouldn't be an issue and the Dahlia form took a boost with Al Husn landing the Group 3 Hoppings Fillies' Stakes at Newcastle last night. However, the ground that day was probably slower than the official 'soft' going given, and trainer George Boughey has made it no secret that further rainfall would enhance her chances.
Aidan O'Brien's Never Ending Story has been campaigned in the French Classics following her Group 3 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes win at Leopardstown in April, and finished a commendable second in the Group 1 Prix de Diane behind Blue Rose Cen. She seemed to relish her first try at ten-and-a-half-furlongs, having been kept at a mile prior and her record on good ground (2-3) catches the eye.
Rosscarbery drops back to ten furlongs for the first time since her second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet last season. Fifth behind Emily Upjohn in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes in October, the five-year-old returned with a half-length success in the Group 3 Munster Oaks last-time-out. The performance can probably be upgraded as she didn't seem to handle conditions but the drop back in distance doesn't appear to be a positive.
WIN: NEVER ENDING STORY
It could be a good day for Joseph O'Brien with Al Riffa holding favouritism for the 1m2f Group 3 International Stakes (4:00). He makes his seasonal reappearance and will be looking to uphold a big reputation gained during his juvenile campaign. Second on debut in a seven-furlong Curragh maiden, Al Riffa went from strength-to-strength last season and looked like a high-class prospect when landing the Group 1 National Stakes on his third and final start.
His main opposition appears to be the Aidan O'Brien-trained Alfred Munnings. An impressive four-and-a-half winner of a Leopardstown maiden on debut, he ran credibly to finish sixth in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2022 and has not been seen on the track since. He's a half-brother to champion race mare Snowfall and will appreciate the step up to ten furlongs.
WIN: AL RIFFA
There has been some significant market support behind Matrika in the 6f Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes (2:15) and she's currently a warm order as the 4/9 favourite. She backs up quickly after a good second in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot where she had to do the hard work in front and is one of only three fillies with Group experience in the field.
Joseph O'Brien's Grand Job appeals as a possible alternative, having finished second behind Matrika on debut at the Curragh. She was no match for the winner but will surely have come forward for the experience and could benefit if the Royal Ascot run has taken anything out of the favourite.
WIN: GRAND JOB
