Racing Irish Oaks preview: Only a neck might have separated Casual Look and Yesterday at Epsom, but the latter is a heavy favourite to reverse that form in tomorrow's Darley Irish Oaks.
Such were the traffic problems that the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly encountered a month ago there is a widespread belief that even just a reasonably clear run will see Yesterday add to her Irish 1,000 Guineas triumph.
It's rare for Classic races to work out as straightforward as that, and the Oaks is one of the rare blank spots on O'Brien's big-race CV. However, even the ever-cautious O'Brien concedes how unfortunate Yesterday was on her last start.
"Obviously everyone could see she was unlucky. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. Even Mick (Kinane) would tell you that. They just got no luck at all," he said yesterday.
"She has had a little break since and seems in good form. Like every other race we just try to do our best and see what happens."
The bookies may expect Yesterday to sweep past her Epsom conqueror, but Casual Look's trainer, Andrew Balding, is singing a different tune.
"Yesterday could well have been unlucky and we will find out on Sunday how unlucky. But Hanami and some other good fillies are there too, and it will be a tough race. It's obviously a tough ask, but we are confident our filly is in good form," he said as Casual Look tries to become the 10th horse to complete the EpsomCurragh double.
Spanish Sun and Ocean Silk are separated by just a head on Ribblesdale Stakes form, while Hanami's Pretty Polly form gives her the beating of Snippets.
However, while most of the home interest will be on the favourite, the 84-year-old Paddy Mullins has a potential dark horse in Vintage Tipple.
Frankie Dettori has his first ride for the veteran trainer, who has brought Vintage Tipple back from an injury picked up in April's Athasi Stakes. There is substantial belief among connections in Vintage Tipple's ability, but she lacks a recent run.
Yesterday and Mick Kinane will be looking for a different type of run, but if they get it, then they should go one better than Quarter Moon, Yesterday's sister, in the race last year.
Dettori is on Leicester Square in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes, but the English challenge for this could fail to O'Brien's $3.1 million colt One Cool Cat, who has reportedly improved from his success at York.
Jim Bolger's Avorado looks the bet in the Group Three Minstrel Stakes, and Bolger could also pick up the seven-furlong maiden with Union Square.
Today's Curragh fixture features the Group Two Goffs International Stakes and the second start of the season for the highly promising Sea Dart.
The highest rated is the 2,000 Guineas runner-up, France, but he is a quirky character.
Sea Dart is coming off the back of a victory in an ordinary enough contest at Limerick but looked every inch a Group prospect that evening.
Dermot Weld's Former Senator has a first outing since April in the mile-and-a-quarter maiden and should beat Patriotism, who was a flop on his only start.
Weld has a decent team of juveniles this season and the Green Desert newcomer Clever Myth could be the one in the opener.
