O'Brien out to continue Moyglare run
Rumplestiltskin will bid to provide Aidan O’Brien with his fourth victory in the last six years in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The daughter of Danehill is sure to be a warm order to supplement a recent Group Two success over course and distance in this higher grade.
She was particularly impressive in beating Modeeroch by an easy two lengths last time, with British raiders Vague, Hanoona and In The Fashion readily dismissed.
Dont Dili Dali and Lonely Ahead provide the British challenge this time round, with the former seeking a hat-trick after two cosy successes at a lower level.
Lonely Ahead was an encouraging fourth behind Flashy Wings in the Lowther Stakes last time and Clive Brittain feels she is improving all the time.
He said: “She’s in very good form and did a very nice piece of work five days ago which convinced me she would be ready to run a good race in the Moyglare.
“She showed at York she is a nice filly and I think she’s improved from that race.”
Other notable contenders for the seven-furlong showpiece include Race For The Stars, a half-sister to Hawk Wing and stablemate of Rumplestiltskin, and Jim Bolger’s Sandie, who was impressive when winning a nursery off a mark of 97 last time.
Flashy Wings misses out, however.
Brune Raymond, assistant racing manager to the unbeaten filly’s owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “Mr Abdullah would prefer her to go fresh to the Cheveley Park Stakes.
“She’s in good shape and is breathing well, but the bottom line is that Mr Abdullah wants her to go straight to Newmarket.
“She’s still in the sales race at Newbury later in the month and it’s always on the cards, but we imagine she’ll go direct to the Cheveley.”
Clare Hills will bid to give handler Karl Burke a high-profile success in the Group Three Go And Go Round Tower Stakes earlier on the card.
The filly has not been seen since finishing fourth behind Flashy Wings in the Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting in June but delighted connections in a recent workout.
She lines up here instead of taking her chance in the Sirenia Stakes at Newmarket or the Group Three Prix d’Arenberg at Chantilly.
Burke explained: “She handles cut in the ground well. My first preference was the race in France but the ground is pretty quick and there is no rain forecast.
“She’s only ever run over five furlongs, but on pedigree she should get the six, and it shouldn’t be a problem on her homework.”
O’Brien is double-handed with Aussie Rules and newcomer Queen Cleopatra.
The former was last seen in action at Glorious Goodwood when finishing a close-up fourth behind Sir Percy in the Champagne Stakes.
Dandy Man and Abigail Pett, both seeking hat-tricks after scoring in Listed company last time, add further interest to a competitive heat.
Another small but select field will assemble for the Group Three Nolan & Brophy Auctioneers Flying Five, where Milton Bradley will be hoping The Tatling can gain a much-deserved success.
The evergreen eight-year-old finished second for the third consecutive year in the Nunthorpe Stakes last time and his handler is expecting another bold show on Sunday.
Bradley commented: “He’s come out of the Nunthorpe very well, he seems right back to his best and we’re very hopeful”.
Last year’s runner-up Benbaun is looking to add to a course and distance success achieved earlier in the year and will be joined by Boogie Street and The Trader in a four-pronged British assault.
The home defence is led by Harry Rogers’ progressive mare Moon Unit, who will be attempting to land her fourth major prize of the season.
She finished ahead of The Trader when winning in Group Three company in May and underlined her present well-being with a narrow success in a Listed contest last month.
