Alwaysanangel has the wings to soar past Maire Rua in Cork cracker

This seven-furlong contest for two-year-old fillies looks the most fascinating of the three stakes race on an exciting card at the Mallow venue

POETRY IN MOTION: Alwaysanangel and Dylan Browne McMonagle win for trainer Joseph O'Brien in July. Pic: Healy Racing

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026 - 01:50

John Ryan

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Alwaysanangel might prove too strong for Maire Rua in the listed Irish Stallion Farms Firville Stakes in Cork.

This seven-furlong contest for two-year-old fillies looks the most fascinating of the three stakes race on a crack card at the Mallow venue, where the Group 3 Give Thanks is the feature.

Impressive on her debut at Leopardstown, the Juddmonte-owned and Ger Lyons-trained Maire Rua, by Frankel, will be a popular choice based on her debut performance and the subsequent exploits of her immediate victor Belleskue, who went on to win her maiden at the same venue before finishing third to Ballydoyle colt Sergei Diaghilev at Gowran Park.

But I prefer the Carriganog filly Alwaysanangel, who displayed a fine turn of foot when coming from off the pace to score on her debut at Fairyhouse, beating Crayons In The Sky.

Joseph O’Brien stepped her into Group 2 company just nine days later. And she ran a cracker, staying on in good style to finish a close third, beaten a length, behind two speedy fillies Senorita Bonita and Albany winner Libertango in the Duchess Of Cambridge at Newmarket’s July meeting.

In the belief that she’ll improve for this step-up in trip, Alwaysanangel is marginally preferred to Maire Rua in a field which also includes a number of potential threats, including Sheila Lavery’s, unconsidered in the betting when runner-up to the speedy Livenska in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes in Naas.

Aidan O’Brien runs three, with Ryan Moore plumping for 89-rated maiden Madam Secretary, a good second to Samina at Galway, and Wayne Lordan on Nevermindtherain, third behind Maire Rua at Leopardstown.

The Group 3 Give Thanks looks wide open, with a quartet of four-year-olds bidding to extend that age group’s impressive recent record in the race (winning five of the last six).

Having contested the Epsom and Irish Oaks and fifth to Goodie Two Shoes in the Lillie Langtry (Group 2) in Goodwood, Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old Amelia Earhart drops in class, but has a bit to prove.

And Paddy Twomey, who has won three of the last five renewals, might strike again with Bosphorous Rose, bought out of Sir Mark Prescott’s and third to Sparan Nua in the Munster Oaks over this course and distance before landing the listed Lenabane at Roscommon. Rated 103, she looks progressive and should take plenty of beating here.

It’s also the second day of Tramore’s August festival. And Declan Queally, who has received a retrospective six-day whip ban from his win on Sarahs Lawn in Galway, has double prospects.

A smart staying hurdler, successful recently in Kilbeggan, Rocky’s Diamond (Michael Kenneally) has obvious claims of following-up in the opening Seamus Byrne Electrical Chase.

And Galway festival winner Mighty Berkshire might defy a 7lb hike and top-weight in the Comeragh Veterinary Handicap Hurdle.

Earlier, the Noel Kelly-trained Our Zebo, a three-time winner over hurdles, significantly lower over fences and having his first run since September, is well worth noting in the I.P.R.S. Handicap Chase.

CORK

John Ryan

4.53.Southern Boulevard

5.28.Cashel Blue

6.03.Alwaysanangel

6.35.Keke

7.10.Bosphorous Rose (Nap)

7.45.Zadawa

8.15.Dawn Flame

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