One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Saturday
Trainer
You'd have to go back to 2005 to find a year where Aidan O'Brien didn't win a Classic on home soil – although he has saddled the runner-up in all three Irish classics this season.
He sends three to the Curragh in search of Group 1 Irish Oaks (5.30) glory, with impressive Royal Ascot winner Magic Wand leading his trio alongside Bye Bye Baby and Oaks winner Forever Together.
Meanwhile in the Minstrel Stakes (4.55), all eyes will be on O'Brien's American Pharoah's full-brother, St Patrick's Day. A much better performance will be expected following his third place effort on stable debut.
Jockey
Having steered the great Kingman to Irish 2,000 Guineas glory four years ago, James Doyle once again has a leading chance of claiming Classic glory in Ireland.
He partners the William Haggas-trained Sea Of Class in the day's feature race, the Darley Irish Oaks (5.30).
Doyle will need to be wary of the race tactics employed by the Ballydoyle string, but the talented rider is certainly in with a big chance of landing the Group 1 contest aboard the ante-post second favourite.
Doyle will carry his retained Godolphin colours for Mick Halford's Ambassadorial (3.10) before partnering David O'Meara's Larchmont Lad in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes (4.55) and Marie's Diamond in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes (4.20).
Horse
Emotionless looked a big talent when landing the Group 2 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old, but he never quite managed to find his form following his last-place effort in the Dewhurst.
On his only start of the year in January, he showed a lot of promise when second to Benbatl in a Group 3 at Meydan, and it will be interesting to see whether he can return to his best on his return to Britain.
Trainer Charlie Appleby has won plenty of big races since that outstanding win at Doncaster for Emotionless, but if the likely short-price favourite can refind his form, he could become another star in the Appleby ranks.
Race
Newbury stages the inaugural running of the JLT Cup (2.20), a staying handicap featuring 18 runners.
The race has been excellently supported with Willie Mullins, John Gosden and Mark Johnston all targeting the £62,500 prize-money on offer for the winner.
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Published on 20 July 2018inNews
Last updated 18:10, 20 July 2018
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