Newmarket 1000 Guineas runner up Together is one of 15 runners for Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas and the Aidan O’Brien trained performer is currently the 11/4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Group 1 Classic. She is joined in the race by her stable companions Look At Me, Misty For Me and Wild Wind, who was third in last Sunday’s French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp.
There are plenty of fast improving fillies waiting in the wings should Together fail to deliver on her Newmarket promise, not least of all the John Oxx-trained Emiyna. The latter was immediately nominated for this race following her recent success in the Athasi Stakes. Banimpire, Chrysanthemum, Rose Bonheur and Seaharn are other Irish-trained fillies well worth their place in Sunday’s line-up.
Majestic Dubawi is the sole overseas challenger. Trained by Mick Channon, she is having her first start of the season here, but she was a top filly last season and fitness is unlikely to be an issue.
Paddy Power latest betting: 11-4; Together, 9-2 Emiyna, 8; Banimpire, Look at Me, 9 Laughing Lashes, 10 Misty for Me, 12 Wild Wind, 14 Handassa, History Note, 16 Chrysanthemium, 20 Claoimh Solas, 25 Ballybacka Lady, Seeharn, 33 Majestic Dubawi, Rose Bonheur
Australian champion So You Think heads five runners for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, with the Godolphin trained Campanologist and Famous Name trained by Dermot Weld his main opposition in the Group 1 contest.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby entries Alexander Pope and Best Hello are among the 10 runners for the Group 3 Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes, while runners representing France, Germany and Britain, including Kasih who will be partnered by Johnny Murtagh, will compete in the prestigious President of the UAE Cup. This is the only race for pure bred Arabian horses run in Ireland.
There are eight declared runners for Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday with Newmarket 2000 Guineas runner up Dubawi Gold and Slim Shadey who finished fourth in the race taking on a strong home trained team lead by Dunboyne Express and Roderic O’Connor
Saturday’s seven race programme also includes the Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes with Hitchens and Tiddliwicks representing Britain in the Group 3 contest, while the home team includes Snaefell, Sing Softly and Croisultan. Nine runners will line up for the TP Waters Marble Hill Stakes, while Lolly for Dolly, Aoife Alainn, Obama Rule, Cilium and Emulous are among the 10 runners for the Group 3 TRI Equestrian Stakes.
The whole weekend of top class racing will have a distinctly Arabic flavour with many elements of Emirati life and culture being showcased in an Arabian Village, which will feature a variety of activities to promote the attractions of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways will also feature a spectacular display to showcase their association with Formula One motor racing.
All things female will be the centre of attention on Sunday with a fantastic prize of a 5 Star holiday to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways for the lady judged to be Most Stylish by a panel of judges that include television presenter Sinead Desmond, travel writer Karen Creed and Melanie Morris of Image magazine
Saturday 1st race 2.10pm, Sunday 1.40pm
Admission €20, seniors and Under 25s €10, Under 16s Free