Alpha Centauri leads the challenge against quality quartet from Ballydoyle

3.40 Curragh
Moyglare Stud Stakes | 7f | Group 1 | RTE2/ATR

Aidan O'Brien is adopting the safety in numbers approach as he seeks an eighth success in this Group 1 for juvenile fillies.

The big poser for punters is which one of his quality quintet might follow in the footsteps of Sequoyah (2000), Quarter Moon (2001), Necklace (2003), Rumplestiltskin (2005), Misty for Me (2010), Maybe (2011) and Minding (2015).

Jockey bookings usually supply the first clue. Magical, the mount of Ryan Moore, has been favourite since betting opened on the race, following her surprise all-the-way win in the Debutante Stakes over course and distance last month.

Aidan O'Brien: trains MagicalCredit: Getty Images

Magical (first), Happily (second) and September (fourth) all locked horns in the aforementioned Debutante last month, but they might not finish in the same order this time and O'Brien seems to think his Chesham winner September will improve most of the trio. The 104-rated Ballet Shoes completes his challenge.

O'Brien said: "Happily, Magical and September all ran against each other in the Debutante Stakes and I've been happy with all of them since. September is the one we think has improved most since then. Ballet Shoes seems in good form and we're happy with her."

Alpha Centauri was the most talked about filly in the first half of the season but was unable to continue her winning streak in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot as Different League spoiled her perfect record.

She is up a furlong on easier ground here and Jessica Harrington is excited about her prospects.

The trainer said: "Alpha is in great order. She's had a nice break since Royal Ascot and has done very well in that time. She's never gone on ground this soft but we hope it will suit her. She's a gorgeous, big filly who we've liked from day one."

Chiara Luna was backed as if defeat was out of the question before her debut in a 6f maiden at Leopardstown last month and she duly obliged in the manner expected of a 4-5 favourite.

She is thrown in at the deep end on her second start, but trainer Dermot Weld would not present her with such a challenge if he did not think she was up to it.

Jim Bolger is represented by both Gasta and the maiden Active Approach, while the high-class line-up also includes 16-1 Curragh maiden winner Muirin from the Eddie Lynam stable.

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