Can Sole Power win at The Curragh tomorrow?

The Darley Irish Oaks is the feature race this weekend at the Curragh where racing will take place on Saturday and Sunday, but there will also be huge interest in the re-appearance of Eddie Lynam's top sprinter Sole Power on Saturday 4.20pm.

Three Group 1 winners will line up in the Group 2 Kilfrush Stud Sapphire Stakes including Sole Power, G Force and Mecca’s Angel among the seven declared for the five-furlong sprint which is sure to be as competitive as any race this weekend.

Sole Power finished eighth in the Darley July Cup just last weekend, but reverts back to five-furlongs and his trainer, Eddie Lynam, is hoping for a good run.

'The plan is to run Sole Power and Fort Del Oro in the Sapphire Stakes. It's not ideal running Sole Power back so quick but he seems fine in himself and these sprints are few and far between when you get the ground,' said Lynam.

'I thought he was going to run a big race and maybe be placed, but he got chopped off and it is very hard to get back into it then.

'Fort Del Oro is training well and she is a two-time listed winner so we'll let her take her chance as well. Mecca's Angel and Brando are coming over so it looks a very good race - it is a proper race,” he added.

G Force had his first run since joining Curragh trainer Adrian Keatley when finishing fifth in the Dubai Duty Free Jumeirah Dash Stakes on Derby weekend and Keatley expects more to come from his charge also.

“G Force is in good form and hopefully he will run a big race. The plan is to go for the Stewards’ Cup with him and the Sapphire Stakes should give him some more match practice and leave him spot on for that.

“We learnt a lot from his first run of the season, obviously he was ring rusty that day, but he showed a nice burst of speed and we know that the enthusiasm is still there.”

Ger Lyons will be represented by Ardhoomey with Colin Keane on board while Pat Smullen has the mount on Sole Power.

Saturday’s racing will begin at 2.55pm and also includes the Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes and at 6.20pm the Boodles Ladies Derby will see Ireland’s leading lady riders line up for the €30,000 prize including Nina Carberry, Katie Walsh, Sarah O’Brien and Kate Harrington.

SUNDAY

The Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes has attracted a top class field of 14 fillies. Bocca Baciata returns to the Curragh having finished second in the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes and will face the highly rated of Devonshire, Agnes Stewart, Lucida and the Dermot Weld-trained Tanaza.

Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron, fresh from his recent victory at Tipperary, heads a field of nine for the Group 2 Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes.

Proceedings draw to a close on Sunday with the eagerly anticipated Corinthian Challenge Charity Race where 12 novice riders get the opportunity to ride around the famous Irish Derby course on their way to raising €100,000 for the Irish Injured Jockeys including Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, a member of the ruling family of Qatar and television presenter Tracy Piggott .

ADMISSION

Saturday
Adults €20
Under 25s & Seniors €10

Sunday
Adults €15
Under 25s & Seniors €8
All Defence Forces personal past and present FREE

Under 16s accompanied by an adult are free on all race days