Diamond Necklace, Zahraan and Glen To Glen: Contenders To Watch This Autumn Amid a thrilling Autumn racing season, promising prospects like Aidan O’Brien's Diamond Necklace and Johnny Murtagh’s Zahraan gear up for key contests, poised to test their mettle against seasoned adversaries in prestigious Group races at the Curragh and Newmarket. Diamond Necklace 2yo; A P O’Brien Entries: Curragh Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (1m), Curragh Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies) (7f), Newmarket Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (7f), Newmarket bet365 Fillies' Mile (Group 1) (1m) Diamond Necklace made a striking debut in a 7f Curragh maiden earlier this month, doing well to run down her better fancied stablemate who had the benefit of experience. That form is yet to be tested but a few of the runners in behind had previously run to a good level in maiden company. She is entitled to improve with that experience behind her and could take high rank among the Ballydoyle juvenile fillies. An entry this Saturday in the 1m Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes at the Curragh could tell us more. This half-sister to Group 1 winners Magic Wand and Chiquata ought to relish the step up to a mile.There are some big potential targets later in the autumn, with the Fillies Mile at Newmarket and the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh possibilities. Zahraan 3yo; J P Murtagh Entries: Leopardstown Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) (1m2f), Ascot Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) (1m2f) Night of Thunder colt Zahraan may be able to make an impact at the top level this autumn. The Johnny Murtagh-trained runner has progressed with every career start since making an eye-catching debut in a Navan maiden earlier this year. He built on that promise easily getting off the mark next time and has since won at Listed and Group 3 level, with his only subsequent defeat coming at Royal Ascot when narrowly held by a potential top-class rival in Amiloc. A step up to Group 1 level in the Irish Champion Stakes or Champion Stakes at Ascot are the likely targets. Further improvement will be needed at this level but he is highly regarded and appeals as the type to continue to progress with experience. The best could yet be to come. Glen To Glen 3yo; J P O’Brien Entries: Curragh Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Ireland Irish Cambridgeshire (Premier Handicap) (1m), Newmarket bet365 Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap) (1m1f) Joseph O’Brien’s Glen To Glen could be a handicapper to keep on side over the coming weeks. He made a good debut for connections when fourth in the Golden Gates handicap at Royal Ascot before finishing second to a progressive rival at the Curragh last time. He shaped as if a drop in trip is worth exploring on those occasions and isn't short of speed having won his maiden over 6f. He remains open to improvement after six starts, and handles a variety of ground conditions which will open up his opportunities over the autumn.
