Paddy Twomey aiming to take his seat at Group 1 top table at the Curragh

Paddy Twomey is a trainer at the top of his game and the Tipperary handler will head to the Curragh for Derby weekend in the hope of securing his first Group 1 success.

Twomey, operating at a 37 per cent strike-rate this season, will launch a two-pronged attack at Sunday’s Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes, headlined by classy filly La Petite Coco, while French Claim will be the trainer’s first runner in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday.

La Petite Coco was a revelation last season, winning four of her five starts since joining Twomey, including a defeat of Love in the Blandford Stakes last September.

The 114-rated daughter of Ruler Of The World is the general 3-1 favourite to give Twomey his first success at the top table and the Tipperary handler cannot wait to get his star filly back on the track.

He said: “It looks like a very good race and La Petite Coco is very exciting. Both fillies have earned their place and we’re very much looking forward to Sunday.”

While Sunday presents a terrific opportunity for La Petite Coco, she also has entries in the Nassau Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks, Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and her trainer is eager to see how the season unfolds.

He added: “She has good entries and I think she’s in great form. I’m looking forward to the year ahead with her.”

His other entrant, Rosscarbery, has thrived since moving to Twomey’s and, on the back of her recent progression, connections have decided to supplement the filly for Sunday’s showpiece at a cost of €30,000.

Twomey and Billy Lee will team up with French Claim in the Irish Derby on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Sea The Stars filly, now rated 107, has won all four starts since joining the Tipperary stable, most recently when accounting for a classy field to land the Group 3 Munster Oaks last month.

On her chances, Twomey said: “Rosscarbery has earned her chance for a crack at a race like this. She’s in good form and she came out of the race at Cork very well and we’re looking forward to running her.”

French Claim will lead the way in Saturday’s Irish Derby for Twomey and Billy Lee.

The son of French Fifteen opened his three-year-old campaign in glittering fashion when running riot in a conditions event at Cork before finishing third behind Stone Age in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

Twomey believes the Derby trip will be a help to him and said: “He was good as a two-year-old. He progressed from his maiden and won really well in Cork. I think the Derby trip around the Curragh will suit him well. He would appreciate any rain that falls.”

On the prospect of gaining his elusive Group 1 success, Twomey added: “We’ll let the horses do the talking.”

The ground at the Curragh was good, good to firm in places, on the straight and Derby course ahead of racing on Friday, with 15-20mm of rain forecast over the weekend.

Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "We've been in touch with Met Eireann. The heaviest downpour is scheduled for Saturday evening into Sunday. We'll be in touch with further updates. At the moment, we're in a good place. The winds are to pick up from tomorrow."

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (3.45 Curragh, Saturday)

Coral: 11-8 Tuesday, 7-4 Westover, 8 Hannibal Barca, 9 Piz Badile, 10 Lionel, 25 French Claim, 50 Boundless Ocean, Glory Daze

Read more on the Irish Derby:

Confirmed runners and riders for the 2022 Irish Derby - plus an early tip

Who wins the 2022 Irish Derby? Assessing the key Curragh Classic contenders

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