'She's a lovely filly' - will punters Be Happy after Oaks contender runs?

Curragh: Saturday

It was American singer Bobby McFerrin who told us 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' and punters who backed the beautifully bred, eponymous daughter of Camelot into favouritism for her debut at Cork had few anxious moments.

Be Happy looked potentially smart, getting the hang of things late and stretching away close home for an emphatic success. She is now a 33-1 shot for next year's Cazoo Oaks and that price will surely shorten if she is able to make it two from two in the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes (2.00) at the Curragh.

It's a race Aidan O'Brien has farmed, winning it ten times since Miss Helga provided him with his first and the likes of Homecoming Queen (2011), Together Forever (2014) and Fancy Blue (2019) won it for the Ballydoyle maestro, the latter doing so when in the care of his son Donnacha, who had yet to acquire a licence.

O'Brien said of Be Happy: "She's a lovely filly and we were delighted with her at Cork. She won nicely there and the form of that race has worked out well too with Jessica's [Harrington] filly [Foniska] winning during the week. She's had a nice bit of time from Cork until now and we think she's in good form."

Be Happy will need to be pretty good to extend her unbeaten run. She faces six rivals and among them is Punchestown maiden winner Gozen from the Michael O'Callaghan yard, of whom big things were expected given she went off at 7-2.

The runner-up that day was Basil Martini, who is now rated 100 having won the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes on her next start. The form looks strong. Starry Heavens was impressive when making all in her maiden at the Curragh too, so there is plenty of substance to the Group 3.

The Listed Bord Na Mona Recycling Brigid's Pastures Stakes (2.35) sees the mud-loving Pretty Rebel attempt to continue her stellar season for Ger O'Leary, who has booked Shane Foley.

O'Leary said: "She's in good form and was a bit unlucky the last day. She'll love the ground but we're stepping up in class, so it won't be easy."

Pretty Rebel has won two of her last four starts and, as O'Leary said, she was unlucky not to win last time at Gowran Park too having been hampered at a crucial stage. Conditions will certainly be in her favour here.

Pirate Jenny has course-winning form and is sure to be popular under champion jockey Colin Keane, while O'Brien feels Prettiest has finally come to hand this season.

He said: "She ran her best race for a while over seven the last day. I know she's back over six now, but she has pace and seems to be in good form since Tipperary."

Read our Saturday previews:

1.50 Newmarket: 'It can play to his strengths' – Zetland test expected to suit Flying Honours

2.25 Newmarket: can Appleby and Buick springboard another star in the Autumn Stakes?

3.00 Newmarket: 'This has always been the plan' – trainers on the day's Group 1

3.15 York: 'This is a nice prize' – key trainer quotes for valuable sprint handicap at York

3.40 Newmarket: 'She's had the exact same programme as Buzz' – can Henderson win the Ces again?

4.02 Chepstow: 'He's been working nicely' – find out who is expecting a big Silver Trophy run

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