Irish Oaks tips and runners guide to Curragh 3.45 on Saturday

news.paddypower.com

22 July 2023

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

A Ballydoyle bash up between Savethelastdance and Warm Heart is set to take place in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

Savethelastdance was narrowly denied by the mightily impressive Soul Sister in last month’s Epsom equivalent while stablemate Warm Heart took her form to new heights by bagging the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien is spying a record-breaking seventh victory in the race and he also saddles Be Happy and Library. Azazat, Bluestocking, Comhra and Lumiere Rock complete the field of eight.

The latest Irish Oaks odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Irish Oaks tips

Timeform: SAVETHELASTDANCE is taken to make up for her short-priced reversal in the Oaks at Epsom by landing the Irish version. Warm Heart can confirm her Ribblesdale superiority over Bluestocking and Lumiere Rock and give her stablemate most to do.

Irish Oaks runners

Azazat

Trainer: D. K. Weld Jockey: C. D. Hayes Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1

Confirmed reappearance promise when winning maiden at Leopardstown. Improved again when ½-length second of 8 to Rosscarbery in Munster Oaks at Cork (1½m, good to soft) 36 days ago. May do better again but this a jump in class.

***

Be Happy

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: William James Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6

Improved when third (Sea of Roses second) in 10.5f Saint-Cloud Group 3 on reappearance and backed that up when 1¾ lengths second of 9 to Eternal Hope in Lingfield Oaks Trial (1½m, AW) 10 weeks ago. This stiffer test at the trip should see her in a better light.

***

Bluestocking

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7

Bred in the purple and overcame inexperience to make a striking winning debut in 1m Salisbury novice last autumn. Has shaped well when placed behind Warm Heart in Newbury listed race and the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm) this season. Highly likely more to come after just 3 starts.

****

Comhra

Trainer: J. S. Bolger Jockey: R. P. Cleary Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3

Much improved when third in the Irish 1000 Guineas here in May but failed to back it up when 19¾ lengths last of 9 to Via Sistina in Pretty Polly Stakes here (1¼m, good) 21 days ago.

Library

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: G. M. Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4

Useful filly. Won listed race at Naas in June. Only 7½ lengths seventh in Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown since. Stiff task.

Lumiere Rock

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2

Useful filly. Course winner. 14/1, very good 2½ lengths second of 17 to Warm Heart in Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm), with the reopposing Bluestocking in third.

***

Savethelastdance

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5

Rapid improver who won the Cheshire Oaks by a remarkable 22 lengths. Beaten favourite in the Oaks at Epsom next time but she still performed with plenty of credit to finish 1¾ lengths second to Soul Sister. Leading claims.

*****

Warm Heart

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8

Galileo filly who is improving at a rate of knots, having Bluestocking behind her for a second time when completing a hat-trick in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm; Lumiere Rock 2½ lengths back in second). Should go well again.