Love faces serious opposition dropping down in grade for the Blandford Stakes

2.20 Curragh
Moyglare "Jewels" Blandford Stakes (Group 2) | 1m2f | 3yo+ | fillies and mares | RTE1/RTV

She had Group 1 options at Leopardstown and Longchamp this weekend but Aidan O'Brien has opted to drop star filly Love down to Group 2 company here, although this still represents a proper test.

Winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes on her seasonal return before finishing third behind Adayar and Mishriff in the King George at Ascot, Love was below her best when filling in for the sidelined St Mark's Basilica in the Juddmonte International last month.

The 118-rated four-year-old sets a clear standard on ratings, although this is no formality with Thundering Nights a winner at the highest level in the Pretty Polly Stakes over Sunday's course and distance in June.

Thundering Nights: edged out Santa Barbara in the Group 1 Pretty Polly StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Joseph O'Brien's contender has been an improved performer this season. She was not beaten far when third in the Prix Jean Romanet last time when last year's winner of this race Cayenne Pepper was two and three-quarter lengths further back in fifth.

There were two and a half lengths between the pair when Jessica Harrington's representative was third in the Pretty Polly and it will be interesting to see whether the application of cheekpieces for the first time brings about improvement for Cayenne Pepper.

Although she has yet to be test above Group 3 level, the Paddy Twomey-trained La Petite Coco rates a serious player on the evidence of her emphatic Give Thanks Stakes success last month. Now rated 110 and receiving 9lb from Love and Thundering Nights, she should be bang there if she proves as effective dropping back from a mile and a half on faster ground.

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Love and Woodland Garden
We wanted to fit Love in somewhere to give her a run this weekend and this race suited her. She goes there in good form. Woodland Garden's last start at Galway was much better and she seems to be in good form.

La Petite Coco: improving filly is major contender for Paddy TwomeyCredit: David Keane

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Thundering Nights and Lovely Esteem
This course and distance seems to suit Thundering Nights and she's in good form. Lovely Esteem didn't have any luck in running last time but has run well here before too.

Willie McCreery, trainer of Insinuendo
I wasn't disheartened by her last run in France and she likes the Curragh, having run well on quick ground when fourth here in the Pretty Polly. She has a decent draw and Declan McDonogh knows her well.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of La Petite Coco
She's taken every step well this year and this looked the logical next race for her. She's dropping down in trip and stepping up in grade but I think she's got the ability to handle it. I feel she's very versatile in terms of ground.

Read more Sunday previews:

2.55 Curragh: Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Winter Power faces fierce test in Flying Five

3.30 Curragh: Agartha and Homeless Songs renew rivalry in fascinating Moyglare Stud Stakes

4.05 Curragh: 'Straightforward' Point Lonsdale out to extend perfect record in National Stakes

4.40 Curragh: Can Search For A Song land the hat-trick in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh?

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