Another Classic from the front? Passion backed into 10-1 for the Irish Oaks

Potential Juddmonte Irish Oaks pace angle Passion has been well supported for this evening's fillies' Classic at the Curragh.

Serpentine's Investec Derby win from the front two weeks ago caused plenty of debate, a year on from Sovereign's opportunistic win in the Irish Derby, and Aidan O'Brien is responsible for four of the eight runners in the Irish Oaks (7.15).

Passion went fast from the front in the Investec Oaks two weeks ago, but unlike Serpentine she had company and faded into fifth. Punters may be thinking she could be set for a similar front-running role at the Curragh, with the daughter of Galileo cut into 10-1 (from 14).

The Ger Lyons-trained Even So, who won the Naas Oaks Trial by a neck, has also been trimmed for the Irish Oaks to 10-1 (from 12).

The Irish Oaks will take place on ground slower than initially expected after 9mm of rain hit the Curragh overnight.

Saturday's cards and betting

The going is yielding on the straight course and good to yielding on the round course following the rainfall, which was more than the expected amount of 3-4mm. Ground conditions were reported as good, good to firm in places on the round course on Friday.

Speaking in a video posted on the IHRB's Twitter page, clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "We had 9mm of rain overnight. We were forecast 3-4mm, we got a little more than we were expecting. The ground has changed, the straight course is now yielding, the round course is good to yielding.

"Speaking with Met Eireann, the forecast to mid-morning is we could get another millimetre or two, mainly dry thereafter and again tomorrow."

Cayenne Pepper, second to Magical in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes last time, is the clear favourite with most firms for the Irish Oaks in front of Investec Oaks second Ennistymon. Cayenne Pepper is widely available at 7-4, while Ennistymon has drifted a touch to a general 11-4 chance (from 9-4).

Market movers

York

12.45 Clareyblue 7-2 (from 9-2), Iva Reflection 7-1 (from 9)
2.30 Sinjaari 12-1 (from 14)
3.05 Moss Gill 5-1 (from 6), Major Jumbo 5-1 (from 7), Al Raya 10-1 (from 20)
3.40 Jackamundo 8-1 (from 12)
4.10 Owney Madden 5-1 (from 6), Broken Spear 5-1 (from 12)

Newbury

1.05 Barn Owl 9-1 (from 14)
1.40 Fly Miss Helen 3-1 (from 13-2)
2.15 Bowman 9-1 (from 11)
3.25 Lady G 8-1 (from 12)
4.00 Tabdeed 9-2 (from 8)
5.00 Tell William 3-1 (from 9-2)

Curragh

5.15 Sonnyboyliston 15-8 (from 7-2)
5.45 Lancaster House 10-11 (from 6-4)
6.15 Romantic Proposal 6-1 (from 11), Tommy Taylor 10-1 (from 12)
7.15 Passion 10-1 (from 14), Even So 10-1 (from 12)

In Britain, the ITV4 action comes from York and Newbury this afternoon.

The going is good, good to firm at York for a card featuring the competitive John Smith's Cup Handicap (2.30) and the Group 3 John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes (1.55).

Conditions are not expected to change significantly before racing gets under way at York. Our man at the track David Carr reported light rain was falling at 10am.

"We've had just 0.2mm of rain this morning," said raceday clerk of the course Anthea Morshead.

"There's a bit more to come, starting at 10am or 11am and lasting until about 1pm, but we're not expecting more than just the odd millimetre, it's a very weak front."

At Newbury the going is good, with dry conditions expected throughout the day. The Group 3 bet365 Hackwood Stakes (4.00) is the highlight in Berkshire, where the unexposed Tabdeed has been supported. He is now the 9-2 favourite, having been available first thing this morning at 8-1.

Full list of non-runners

York

12.45 4 Chairmanic
1.20 5 Nitro Express
4.10 7 Big Les

Newbury

1.05 7 Longlai
3.25 5 Moll Davis

Bath

4.35 4 A Day of Mischief
5.05 7 Something Lucky, 9 Archimedes
5.35 15 Shaun's Delight
7.05 1 Songkran, 6 Bayston Hill

Haydock

5.20 1 Sound of Iona, 13 Amber Lily
5.55 2 Tabaahy

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