O’Brien hoping Curly can set the record straight in Carlingford Stakes

Listed Al Basti Equiworld Carlingford Stakes | 1m2f | ATR

Not many Listed races have evaded the clutches of Aidan O’Brien but this is one of them.

That could well change as Curly, the joint top-rated contender in the seven-runner line-up, looks a strong Ballydoyle representative in a contest first run in 2007.

O’Brien said: “She ran her best race last time when fourth in the Blandford Stakes last month and we've been happy with her since. This will be her first run on the Polytrack.”

There has been one British-trained winner in the race's short history and Newmarket-based Ed Dunlop bids to double that tally with Global Giant.

The colt has strong credentials after finishing second in a Group 3 over course and distance on his latest start and Dunlop reports him in fine fettle.

He said: “He ran well in a Group 3 there last time. He’s in good form and is drawn well."

No trainer has a better record at Dundalk than Michael Halford and, while his Massif Central has a bit to find after being beaten more than three lengths by Global Giant in that Group 3 two weeks ago, the trainer is expecting a good display.

“He likes the surface at Dundalk and ran well there last time," he said. "I thought he’d come forward from his last run. He’s got a little bit to find but hopefully he can find it.”

Joseph O’Brien secured an important Listed success for Ship Of Dreams at Cork during the week and he is hoping Damselfly can boost her page with a prominent showing.

He said: “She already has her black type but if we could get a little bit more it would be great.”

Fozzy Stack is also chasing black type for Wishing Star, and said: “She likes the surface there and if she could get black type it would be great.”

Dermot Weld's unbeaten Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt Mutaabeq, whose wins were achieved at Ballinrobe and Sligo, is another interesting runner having his first start on the surface, and the Willie McCreery-trained Mazzuri completes the line-up.

Read exclusive daily previews from 6pm Aat racingpost.com/news