Weld and O'Brien bid to continue Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes domination

4.55 Cork
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes| 1m4f | Group 3 | Fillies & Mares | 3yo+ | RTV

History could repeat itself at Cork on Saturday as Dermot Weld and Aidan O'Brien seek to continue their remarkable recent records in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes.

Since 2012, no other trainer has managed to get their hands on the race named after Jim Bolger's Irish Oaks heroine with the master of Rosewell House landing the Group 3 four times and O'Brien accounting for the other three.

O'Brien has won the race five times, a record he shares with Weld, and is four-handed this year but Weld relies solely on Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes winner Tarnawa.

The Aga Khan's filly will be making her first start since finishing down the field in the Oaks, not getting an entirely clear run at Epsom.

"She's been a very consistent Group-winning filly," said Weld. "This will be her first run since returning from a short holiday and I'm expecting her to produce a nice performance."

Of the O'Brien contingent, champion jockey Donnacha gets the leg up on Simply Beautiful, a versatile daughter of Galileo who has been holding her form well through her seven starts this term, most recently when second to stablemate South Sea Pearl.

The Ballydoyle trainer said: "Simply Beautiful seems in good form and has been kept busy. We think she's still hopefully progressing."

Simply Beautiful has been kept busy this season but appears to be thrivingCredit: Patrick McCann

Seamie Heffernan again rides Delphinia, who ran very creditably when fifth at 66-1 in the Oaks, while Wayne Lordan partners impressive Galway maiden winner Invitation.

"Delphinia is just back from a break after a good run at Epsom and seems in good form," said O'Brien.

"Invitation won well at Galway and stays a mile and a half well. She won't mind some nicer ground."

The Ballydoyle quartet is completed by 93-rated Credenza, ridden by Irish Derby hero Padraig Beggy, and O'Brien said of the three-year-old: "Credenza is another coming back from a break but seems in good form."

John Oxx's Moteo, a reliable four-year-old daughter of Teofilo who looks certain to stay the trip after an excellent effort over 1m6f last time, completes the field of six.

The Currabeg trainer said: "She stays well and has been very consistent, appearing to be improving from race to race this season.

"Soft ground will be a new thing for her. She had one run on an easier surface last year, which wasn't so good, but hopefully she seems to be an improved filly this year."

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