15:20 Cork

Sunday 18 June 2017

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Munster Oaks Stakes (Fillies' Group 3)

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 2m 33.83s

(4)

Flying Fairies³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Carroll| T: J M Oxx| OR: 96

14/1

Experienced filly has three wins and six more placings from just 15 starts, she was well below her best last month in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes over 1m2f against the fillies and has a bit to prove now going up to this trip for the first time.

Form: 431-347

(6)

Glamorous Approach⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 103| D

9/4

New Approach filly was a credible 2¼L behind Zhukova over C&D on reappearance in April and has since achieved back-to-back wins at the Curragh, the latest in a Listed 1m2f (soft to heavy) contest. Deserves another crack at this level.

Form: 457-311

(3)

Like A Star^b²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 77

50/1

Filly appeared to have her issues last year, running disappointingly in a trio of maidens with break in between. This looks a touch ambitious on seasonal reappearance, interesting to see how market judges alongside side three Ballydoyle stablemates.

Form: 308-

(5)

Red Stars^h⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: N G McCullagh| T: J M Oxx| OR: 99| D

16/1

Likeable filly who landed a Roscommon Listed race before finishing eighth in the Group 1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh last July. Bit below best on two runs this season and drops back in distance after 10L beating in 1m6f Group 3 at Navan in April.

Form: 5418-46

(9)

Santa Monica³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: C O'Brien| OR: 95

20/1

Two disappointing runs this season to put behind her and still without a turf win from 14 starts. Yard without a winner since last August. This looks a tough task.

Form: 7235-94

(8)

Sea Swift^h⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J Smullen| T: D K Weld| OR: 99

4/1

Successful twice from five outings last season including by 11L over an extended 1m2f at Sligo on heavy ground in August. Ran a fine race in Listed company over 1m1f at Gowran Park (soft) on reappearance in April and should be in the firing line now.

Form: 71153-2

(1)

Bengala⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J M Oxx| BF

4/1

Cost a handsome sum at the sales near the end of last year (€350,000) and started repaying that sum on debut at Leopardstown on debut with 1m2f maiden success. 4L third behind Vociferous Marina (stablemate to Glamourous Approach) in Listed Navan contest next time. May improve again on third start

Form: 13

(10)

Butterflies³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96

9/1

Maiden winner over the mile at Gowran Park last season, this Galileo filly remains open to better things but has plenty to find based on two runs this season two runs over 1m2f at Navan and the Curragh so far this term. One of four for trainer in this.

Form: 1355-86

(7)

Key To My Heart^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: C O'Donoghue| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100

11/2

Dundalk maiden winner in April (1m2f, AW) but since been put in her place in couple of Listed fillies' contests, including behind Bengala last time at Navan. More required and others seem more likely.

Form: 323-175

(2)

Pavlenko^p1⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien

20/1

Has been slow to get out from the stalls in both starts, over 7f and 1m, at Leopardstown so far, though recovered well be finish close third of nine on second start. The fourth horse has twice come out and won since. Needs to improve on the form but not beyond the realms she'll do just that. One of a quartet for top yard in this.

Form: 0-3

Forecasts

Glamorous Approach (9/4), Bengala (4/1), Sea Swift (4/1), Key To My Heart (11/2), Butterflies (9/1), Flying Fairies (14/1), Red Stars (16/1), Santa Monica (20/1), Pavlenko (20/1), Like A Star (50/1)

Plenty in this line-up possess the potential to make their mark at this level but perhaps GLAMOROUS APPROACH is the one that has demonstrated the most willingness to do it already. A couple of excellent wins at the Curragh have suggested better days are ahead and, with the stable in form, she has strong claims of a first Group-race success. Ballydoyle accounts for four of the ten-runner line-up, seeking to emulate last year's winner Pretty Perfect. Key To My Heart comes out best on ratings from the quartet and is respected but Pavlenko could take a leading hand if able to master the break a bit better than has been the case. Bengala is likely to be in the mix (though connections of the selection ought to know exactly where they stand with her) while the shortlist is completed by Sea Swift, who ran well in Listed class on her reappearance.