Pictavia to seek Curragh compensation

PICTAVIA is to aim for Classic compensation in the Darley Irish Oaks after finishing strongly to take third place behind Eswarah in the Epsom equivalent.

Trainer Jim Bolger is to resist the temptation of running the daughter of Sinndar in the Ribblesdale Stakes next week to wait for the Curragh feature on July 17.

“Kevin (Manning) reported that she didn’t handle the track and she really only got going in the last furlong and a half so the race was over at that stage,” the Carlow trainer told At The Races yesterday.

“Under more suitable conditions she is well capable of doing herself justice in a fillies’ Classic. Pictavia is not going to Royal Ascot at York. She is going for the Irish Oaks.”

Bolger will wait until the weekend before deciding whether to send Tropical Lady over to Royal Ascot at York for next Wednesday’s Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes.

The five-year-old mare was a close third to Hazariya in a Listed race at Gowran Park on her latest start two weeks ago. Said Bolger: “She has come out of her last race well but she was a little bit quiet for a while. We are playing it by ear just for the moment.”