Godolphin keeping weather eye on Curragh
Connections of Punctilious are hoping the rain stays away from the Curragh as they try to thwart Ouija Board’s bid to land the English/Irish Oaks double tomorrow.
Godolphin’s daughter of Danehill was over 10 lengths behind Ouija Board at Epsom, but she reportedly did not handle the track’s unique undulations and has since won the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.
“We don’t want to see a lot of rain,” trainer Saeed Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com. “Good ground would be fine, but I hope it is not soft. She is working nicely and is in good form.
“It is a tough race, but I am happy with her and she has the class to run a big race.”
Punctilious and Ouija Board were among seven fillies declared for the Darley-sponsored contest yesterday, with the latter a warm order at 4-6 to emulate Ramruma, who completed the Epsom/Curragh double in 1999.
Ed Dunlop’s daughter of Cape Cross will also renew rivalry with All Too Beautiful, who finished runner-up in the English Classic, while John Oxx will saddle Group Three winner Hazarista.
Jim Bolger runs recent Haydock third Danelissima, while Aidan O’Brien’s second string Royal Tigress and the maiden Marinnette complete the field.
