Pathfork among Minstrel 17 Darley Irish Oaks weekend at the Curragh starts this Saturday at 2.10pm with a competitive seven race programme featuring the Minstrel Stakes. The Group 3 contest has attracted an exciting line-up which includes the return to the track of one of last year's leading European 2yo's Pathfork trained by Jessica Harrington, together with yesterday's Fairyhouse winner Rose Bonheur, the Aidan O'Brien trained Oracle and the hat-trick seeking and much improved Emulous. Pathfork was unbeaten in three races as a juvenile and ended the term with victory in the Group One National Stakes. The son of Distorted Humor reappeared in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas in April, but he proved to be a major disappointment to his followers when trailing home seventh behind Frankel. He has not been seen on a racecourse since that day and his return to action is eagerly awaited. Emulous was quite impressive when landing a Group Three event over a mile at the Curragh in May and the Dermot Weld-trained colt followed up at the same level when scoring at Fairyhouse last month. She is clearly on the upgrade and is well capable of landing her three-timer. Aidan O’Brien has left both Oracle and So Stylish in the race for which there are 17 horses remaining. While Oracle has had a few runs already this year, the lightly raced So Stylish is set to make her seasonal debut on Saturday and looks the pick of the Ballydoyle pair. Six Of Hearts provided his trainer Cecil Ross with an emotional success when coming late and fast to win a premier handicap here on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby day and a quick follow up is far from ruled out. The Cheka is the sole British-trained raider. Eve Johnson Houghton's five-year-old has been in sparkling form this season and is likely to be among the market leaders. Zabarajad and Alanza are two interesting runners from the John Oxx stable, while Snaefell and Across The Rhine are two other horses worth a mention.
