White Birch and Los Angeles head classy Mooresbridge Stakes Los Angeles and White Birch lock horns on their seasonal debuts in the Group 2 Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon. White Birch won all three starts last season following up victory in this 1m2f event by landing the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, while Los Angeles also enjoyed his finest hour at the Curragh taking the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Galen adds further spice and could hold a fitness edge having impressed when making all here last month in the Group 3 Tote.ie Alleged Stakes. The Group 3 Coolmore Stud Auguste Rodin Irish EBF Athasi Stakes is the chief supporting race on the card and Chantez had a number of these rivals behind when justifying favouritism in the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown last autumn. Bint Queen Kindly takes a step up in class after making a successful debut here on the opening day of the season, while Cercene is another for the shortlist after meeting trouble in running when third to Swelter in the Group 3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” Stakes at Leopardstown. The going at the Curragh is currently good following a dry 48 hours and there is selective watering on the round course with temperatures today reaching 15C. An eight-race card gets underway at 1.20. Racing also takes place at Down Royal where an eight-race National Hunt card begins at 1pm and the going is good after watering.
