Bluestocking can gain a deserved Group One victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday afternoon.
The Ralph Beckett-trained filly was knocking on the door at the top level last season, with narrow defeats in the Fillies & Mares at Ascot and also in the Irish Oaks.
She looked all over the winner in the classic here last July only to be pipped close home by Savethelastdance.
It looks only a matter of time before she strikes in a top race and this would appear to be a nice opportunity now.
The Juddmonte-owned daughter of Camelot comes here off the back of an impressive reappearance victory at York last month.
In contrast her main rival Emily Upjohn is looking to recapture her form after a disappointing comeback in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge has actually been a bit below par in her last three outings and will need to be back to her best to beat a rival of Bluestocking’s quality.
She is obviously top-class on her day and has to be respected but over this ten furlongs she’ll need to really be on her game.
The Group Two Airlie Stud Stakes is the chief support race and it looks a tricky contest.
American Bar may prove to be another smart filly for Paddy Twomey.
The daughter of No Nay Never overcame a tardy start then and won cosily at the finish around a tricky Listowel track at the start of June.
That form looks solid with the fourth-placed filly, Merrily, winning since while the runner-up Cradle Of Love wasn’t disgraced at Royal Ascot and lines up again here.
Aidan O’Brien saddles three with Ryan Moore taking the mount on Truly Enchanting. She weakened tamely enough at Ascot but should appreciate this step up in trip and the yard have won the last two renewals.
In the following Group Three International Stakes O’Brien is represented by Jan Brueghel, who made a big impression on his debut over course and distance last month.
The full-brother to Irish Derby winner Sovereign won by eight lengths first time and holds plenty of fancy entries. He looked very smart on debut and can handle this step up in class now.
John Velazquez is enjoying his working holiday in Ireland and looks to have a real chance of a winner on the card on board Charlisse for Denis Cullen.
The grey filly was narrowly denied over course and distance last month. A victory for her would be a real family occasion as Cullen’s wife Ann-Marie is a cousin of Velazquez’s wife Leona.
SELECTION NEXT BEST
1.15: Rock Of Cashel Apples And Bananas
1.45: Charlisse Apricot Ice
2.20: American Bar (Dbl) Truly Enchanting
2.55: Jan Brueghel Bolster
3.30: Bluestocking (Nap) Emily Upjohn
4.05: Bialystok Jungle Cove
4.40: Galen Lucky Melody
5.15: John Steinbeck Emerald Eclipse
