Goldrun sets sights on Audi Pretty Polly Stakes double

All is set for a fabulous weekend of glamour, excitement and spectacle with the Curragh staging the Budweiser Irish Derby Festival from 30th June to 2nd July.

Saturday's programme features the Group 1 Audi Pretty Polly Stakes, which has attracted a high quality entry of 10 fillies and mares. Topping the list is the globetrotting mare Alexander Goldrun, who will be attempting to win the race for the second consecutive year and add another Group 1 victory to her already impressive CV in the 250,000 euro contest.

The Jim Bolger trained performer will be joined in the line up by Chelsea Rose, Red Bloom, Queen Cleopatra, Perfect Hedge and Ardbrae Lady. Bolger has also entered Tropical Lady, while Kushnarenkovo, Rajeem and Tamazug complete the 10 horse entry.

The At The Races Curragh Cup has attracted an entry of 12 runners. Collier Hill, winner of the 2005 Irish Field St Leger over course and distance last September, heads the list which also includes the Brian Meehan trained Admiral's Cruise, last years winner Mkuzi, Mutakarrim and recent Gowran Park winner Virginia Woolf, together with the Karl Burke trained Akarem who finished unplaced behind Yeats in the Ascot Gold Cup on his latest run.

The Unicorn Homes Summer Fillies Handicap gets proceedings under way at

2.10pm and the 90,000 euro contest has a very competitive edge to it. Jim Bolger who has won this race several times in the past is well represented with Ambika and Chennai, while local trainer John Oxx is also double handed with Shehira and Snow Gretel. Other entries include Lavender Rose, Sharapova and Voliere.

The Woodies DIY Derby Festival Handicap is another tough contest for punters to work out. The 10 furlong race has attracted 27 entries, among them are two from the powerful Aidan O'Brien stable in Magicalmysterytour and Tusculum, while other notable contenders are Galilean and Medico, together with recent winners Senora Galilei and Nick's Nikita.

The Festival starts on Kildare Village Derby Friday with a 7 race programme starting at 6pm, featuring the Listed Woodpark and Ballysheehan Studs Stakes. A total of 13 fillies have been entered for the 55,000 euro contest including the David Wachman trained Chanting, Kevin Prendergast's pair of Million Spirits and Miss Beatrix, and Drifting Snow, which hails from the powerful Dermot Weld stable.

The ground was described as Good to Firm on Monday morning by Racecourse General Manager Paul Hensey. 'Watering is continuing today and tomorrow and our objective is to start the meeting on good ground. We will monitor the situation weather wise from Thursday onwards as there is a possibility of some heavier rain later in the week,' commented Hensey.