Irish racing's knockout finisher ready to rumble in Saturday night spectacular

Saturday night's alright for fighting and oh how we've longed to see Irish racing's knockout finisher Albigna back in the ring again.

It's time for round two of the Irish Flat season's Classics, live on RTE2 and RTV at 7.15, and what a day we have in store, starting with ITV's coverage from Newbury and Sandown.

Stock the fridge in advance and unplug the doorbell.

Jessica Harrington, whose runners would fail a temperature check at the races if they were in any hotter form since Irish racing returned on Monday, won't be able to attend the Curragh due to age restrictions, but a second Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas in three years will still be extremely sweet if her rising star strikes.

The Niarchos Family's heir apparent to Alpha Centauri burst on the scene with a winning debut at this meeting last year, before doing her best impression of Tyson Fury's memorable rise from the canvas against Deontay Wilder to land the Airlie Stud Stakes last June.

Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley: have been in flying form this weekCredit: Patrick McCann

She looked dead and buried for much of that Group 2 assignment, hitting an in-running high of 209-1, but that now trademark thundering turn of foot saw her snare her rivals with half a length to spare at the line.

There were excuses for her disappointing Moyglare Stud Stakes effort when she was found to be in season and, funnily enough, the performance that cemented her star status came in a race she wasn't due to run in.

When stablemate Alpine Star pulled a muscle before the Prix Marcel Boussac, Harrington called on her supersub to deliver the goods in highly impressive fashion from off the bench on Arc day.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, eat your heart out.

Her Breeders' Cup fourth had the feeling of one that got away, rattling home for fourth after being shuffled further back than ideal, but the vibes from the Moone camp have been extremely positive in the lead-up to this assignment.

Jockey Shane Foley's face lights up like a child's on Christmas morning when he speaks about the Group 1-winning filly. He is smitten.

Don't be surprised if a tilt at the Investec Oaks is mentioned in the aftermath of Saturday's performance as Albigna will surely stay 1m2f and probably 1m4f.

Current Epsom odds of 25-1 could look very juicy should she oblige in this first Classic assignment.

The Irish 1,000 Guineas doesn't often slip through Aidan O'Brien's hands, with eight winners to his name, and he sends two capable representatives into battle against Albigna.

Peaceful could be one of Ballydoyle's best three-year-old fillies this term, while So Wonderful is the choice of some shrewd judges.

Joseph O'Brien's New York Girl seems to have blossomed over the winter and don't forget about brother Donnacha either.

The rookie trainer, who won't be 22 until next month, could plunder a Classic at his first attempt with Fancy Blue, an unbeaten daughter of Deep Impact who has been transferred from his father's yard.

It's not just the three-year-old fillies taking centre stage, with admirable globetrotter Magic Wand is back for a rare appearance on home soil in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at 7.45.

Magic Wand: set for a rare home appearance at the Curragh on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann

She has clocked up more air miles than a DHL delivery pilot over the past 18 months and looks to have been handed a good opportunity for the in-form Aidan O'Brien/Seamie Heffernan partnership.

Rock-solid campaigner Speak In Colours and beaten Boomerang Stakes favourite Lancaster House lock horns in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at 6.45, while the Ragusa Handicap (6.15) is a typically tricky premier handicap to crack.

This is a Curragh card to savour.

King Of Comedy in starring role on ITV4

ITV4 broadcasts seven live races from Sandown and Newbury, with the Group 3 Diomed Stakes – rerouted from Epsom to Newbury – a cracker at 3.35.

King Of Comedy was just touched off in the St James's Palace Stakes around this time last year and returns to action against Sir Michael Stoute's dual Group 3 scorer Zaaki, with plenty of high-quality opponents poised to pounce.

King Of Comedy: showed plenty of quality last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cabaletta, who mastered Ribblesdale Stakes favourite Frankly Darling on her debut last October at Yarmouth, bids to extend her unbeaten record to two in the Listed Abingdon Fillies' Stakes at 3.00.

At Sandown, beaten Norfolk Stakes favourite Sunday Sovereign, now in the care of Roger Varian, bids to get back on track in the fast and furious Listed Scurry Stakes (2.40).

Things may be far from normal, but Saturdays like these restore some of the feelings we have been longing for over the past few months.

Strap yourself in for some classy British afternoon action followed by Saturday night fever at the Curragh. Actually forget that – we've had enough talk of high temperatures in 2020.

The Moone rocket is ready to take flight. Here's hoping she is worth the wait.

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