From a punters point of view, interest in tomorrow's Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks is likely to be limited to those whose stake contains at least three zeros. An overwhelming favourite like Ramruma can do that for a race.
Henry Cecil's filly will be long odds on to become the first to complete the English-Irish Oaks double since User Friendly in 1992. An impressive success at Epsom will contribute to that price but so does the apparent paucity of the challenge to her.
On form, it is impossible to make a case for any of Ramruma's six opponents beating her.
On a line through Zahrat Dubai, the other English challenger Mother Of Pearl cannot get the better of Ramruma and on ratings, the home team look to have a mountain to climb.
One Curragh trainer this week suggested that there may be a doubt about Ramruma acting on watered good to firm going but the evidence doesn't back that up.
Ramruma won the Lingfield Trial on good to firm, despite admittedly having to be niggled along through the race. Kieren Fallon in contrast is trying for a first home classic success and he will rarely have a better chance of breaking his duck.
Of the home fillies, Sunspangled has been a grave disappointment this season and Aidan O'Brien admits that the ground is a concern.
"I would love to run her but she wants safe ground. They are watering at the Curragh and there are showers forecast but I will walk the course on Sunday and see," O'Brien said yesterday.
The £25,000 supplementary entry Polaire just got the nod in the Pretty Polly Stakes but is not certain to stay the extra quarter mile and a rating of 109 leaves her with plenty to find with the favourite.
Blend Of Pace and Roses Of Tara look to be outclassed but those searching for a value each way bet could do worse than look at the Navan Sister Bella who should come on for her Pretty Polly fourth and appreciate the extra distance. Nevertheless, even throwing in the fact that filly form can vary so much, Ramruma is impossible to oppose.
Even with Bernstein absent from the Anglesey Stakes, the Aidan O'Brien and Michael Kinane combination look set for a good day.
The Miswaki colt Rossini takes Bernstein's place in the Group Three and this course winner should be up to getting compensation for an unhappy experience in Ascot's Windsor Castle Stakes where he didn't even make it into the stalls.
"He has been doing very well at home since," O'Brien said yesterday and that should be good enough.
The other Group Three on the card is the Minstrel Stakes and that hardy regular Burden Of Proof, who won this race last year, should be up to doing the same this time despite the presence of the English raiders Ramooz and Risque Lady.
If his name is anything to by, then the latest Ballydoyle juvenile to make his debut should be something extra special. Shakespeare is certainly bred to be above average being by Rainbow Quest out of Silver Lane and can beat the form horse, It Happens Now.
Those chasing the jackpot, which is guaranteed for £20,000, will be eyeing the Emirates Rockingham with trepidation but Pharmacist could prove the solution despite the presence of Oyster Catcher, 10lb worse off for just over two lengths on the selection. The Flying Childers runner up Borromini could be the wild card in the race.
