Thundering On taken out of Irish Oaks Joseph O’Brien will rely on Royal Ascot runner-up Johanna Walsh and the unbeaten Rebel Moon in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks after withdrawing his Epsom heroine Thundering On on Saturday morning. The latter was a hugely impressive winner of the Oaks on the Surrey Downs last month and while she had since had her colours lowered by the five-year-old Estrange in the Pretty Polly Stakes, the Frankel filly was the clear favourite to complete a Classic double at the Curragh. However, she will now not be lining up after being declared a non-runner due to going off her feed. In her absence O’Brien’s chief hope appears to be Johanna Walsh, who finished a head second to the reopposing Earth Shot in the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal meeting. “She had a good run at Royal Ascot and has had a good preparation since then. We think she will enjoy the fast ground and the Curragh and we are looking forward to seeing how she goes,” the trainer said. “There was only a head between them at Ascot so they will both be big contenders this weekend.” Haggas Ready For Uphill Curragh Test Earth Shot is bidding to give Newmarket trainer William Haggas a second Irish Oaks win following the victory Sea Of Class in 2018 – and while connections would prefer to see a slightly easier surface, they are confident of a bold showing under big-race pilot James Doyle. “It’ll be quick ground and I’m sure she might prefer it a bit easier, but it was quick when she won at Ascot and I don’t think it will make much difference,” said Richard Brown, racing manager to owners Wathnan Racing. “She would have been unlucky if she didn’t win at Ascot as there was a loose horse which made it difficult and Ryan (Moore, riding Composing) went wide, which meant James had to go even wider and give her a chance to level off and get rolling. “She showed signs of greenness in the closing stages and it took her a bit of time to gain momentum but she was strong at the line and it was a very pleasing performance. “I think she could probably go further than this, but it’s a long way home and an uphill finish at the Curragh and I think this distance is perfect for her for now at a track which will suit her.” Supplementary Fee Shows Bolger Confidence The unbeaten Munster Oaks winner Sparan Nua is an intriguing runner for Jim Bolger and Maurice Regan, owner of Newton Anner Stud Farm, having been supplemented at a cost €50,000 on Tuesday. Newtown Anner Stud’s racing manager, P J Colville, said: “She has a Group Three in the bag so you can have a go at the bigger races. “While Joseph’s filly that won the Oaks sets the bar high and the Wathnan filly that won the Ribblesdale, the trainer is very confident and thinks she is a smart filly.” Another to go down the slightly more pricey supplementary route was David Menuisier, who parachuted French Oaks third Inis Mor in to the race at the eleventh hour. He said: “In the Guineas she wasn’t quite herself that day for whatever reason, but she put things right afterwards at Goodwood and then at Chantilly. “She seems in good order and if she stays then hopefully she can deliver the goods.” Ballydoyle Tactical Switch For Epsom Disappointment Aidan O’Brien’s Amelia Earhart spearheads a five-strong battalion from Ballydoyle. Having finished a disappointing sixth at Epsom, the the hood and blinkers combination are removed from the daughter of Camelot and replaced by cheekpieces. Speaking in his World Pool blog, jockey Ryan Moore said: “While it was disappointing that she finished down the field that day given she was favourite, it was unusual conditions this year and I’d be hopeful we’ll see a different filly this time. “The Oaks was a funny race, we didn’t go that quick, and I’m not sure how literally you should take the form. It was messy and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do this time. “She’s still got plenty to prove but she’ll like being back at the Curragh and the headgear could help too.” Stablemates Sugar Island, Beautify, Cameo and Composing complete the now 10-strong field.
