Lordan chasing first Irish Classic win on Iridessa in Irish Oaks

5.10 Curragh
Kerrygold Irish Oaks (Group 1) | 1m4f, 3yo filles | RTE2/RTV

Wayne Lordan has two British Classic wins to his credit and will be bidding for his first Classic success on home soil at the Curragh when he partners Iridessa for Joseph O'Brien.

Iridessa, a Group 1 winner over a mile last season, achieved a second top-level success when stepped up to 1m2f in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the track last month, and connections are optimistic the daughter of Ruler Of The World will thrive over the extra two furlongs.

O’Brien, who trained Latrobe to win last year's Irish Derby, said on Friday: "Iridessa came out of her Pretty Polly win very well. She appreciated going up in trip last time and we think she has a good chance of getting the extra two furlongs although you can never be sure."

Lordan added: "Iridessa finished off well in the Pretty Polly last time and, hopefully, she will get the mile and a half. If she does she’ll have a very good chance."

Ballydoyle trio chasing Group 1 breakthrough

Aidan O'Brien's three runners will all be seeking a first Group 1 victory in a race their trainer has won five times, most recently with Seventh Heaven three years ago.

Pink Dogwood, the mount of Ryan Moore, carries the best credentials of the trio having run second in the Oaks before finishing third in the Pretty Polly.

O’Brien said: "We were happy with Pink Dogwood's run in the Pretty Polly and she came out of the race well. She's in good form and going back to a mile and a half shouldn't inconvenience her as she was a good second in the Oaks at Epsom."

Pink Dogwood (left): has to settle for second behind Anapurna in the Investec OaksCredit: Mark Cranham

Fleeting, one place behind Pink Dogwood at Epsom before finishing second to Star Catcher in the Ribblesdale Stakes last month, is the mount of Donnacha O'Brien, who will be seeking a fifth Classic win and his second in Ireland.

Peach Tree, winner of the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown on her most recent start, completes the O'Brien team with rider Seamie Heffernan bidding for a second win in the race.

O'Brien added: "Fleeting finished well in the Oaks and again in the Ribblesdale, and it looks as if a mile and a half suits her well. Peach Tree is a straightforward filly who has won over further and we're hoping she runs well."

Gosden aims to keep Star ascending

Star Catcher bids to reward the bold decision by connections to supplement her for this contest by claiming a first success at Group 1 level.

Owner/breeder Anthony Oppenheimer paid out €40,000 on Tuesday to add his progressive filly to the field following her victory in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.

Trainer John Gosden has won the Irish Oaks with Great Heavens (2012) and Enable (2017) and believes conditions are likely to be in Star Catcher's favour.

"Star Catcher is over there already and has travelled well," he said on Friday. "She's an improving type and we've been pleased with her since the Ribblesdale. It's the last chance for three-year-old fillies to run against each other at this level and the owner has been bold in supplementing her.

"She should like the galloping nature of the track and if they have some rain which pushes the ground to good that would be fine."

De Vega out to show Classic capabilities

Having set out to buy fillies with Classic potential, trainer Ralph Beckett and publicity-shy owners Waverley Racing can feel a sense of accomplishment when Manuela De Vega lines up in the Irish Oaks. However, victory would undoubtedly be sweeter for connections.

Manuela De Vega already has Classic experience having finished fourth in the Oaks, where she endured an unlucky passage.

Beckett said: "She's in good shape and in good form. She is better than she has been able to show so far as she met trouble at important points during her races at Chester and Epsom.

Antonia De Vega: made a winning reappearance at NewburyCredit: Mark Cranham

Harrington and Foley seek Classic glory together

Trethias, winner of the Listed Naas Oaks Trial on her most recent start, represents Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley, both of whom will be bidding for a first Classic success together.

Harrington said: "We were delighted with her win at Naas and we think she should benefit for the step up to a mile and a half. Whether she is good enough we'll have to wait and see, but there are plenty of positives and she will like the ground."

Search could be over for Weld

Dermot Weld, who last won the race with Dance Design for Moyglare Stud 23 years ago, runs Fairyhouse maiden scorer Search For A Song for the same owners.

Dermot Weld: saddles Search For A Song in the Irish OaksCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

She was runner-up to Trethias at Naas last time, and Weld said: "She is a really nice filly and while this will be a huge step up for her, she is progressive and I give her a good outside chance."

Completing the home team is the Jim Bolger-trained Operatic Export, the rank outsider in the ten-runner line-up.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news