Earth Shot (16:35 Curragh — Juddmonte Irish Oaks, Group 1, 1m 4f)
A three-year-old filly by Time Test, trained by William Haggas for Wathnan Racing and partnered by James Doyle, who rode her to victory at Royal Ascot. Earth Shot has been on a steady upward curve all season, winning the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last month in an eventful race, getting rolling in the final furlong to win by a head. Haggas was delighted with the performance, noting she stayed really well and did it the hard way in a race disrupted by a loose horse.
She now steps up to Group 1 company for the first time in the Irish Oaks, but Haggas has always believed in this filly and has said she wants soft ground — conditions that could be in her favour at the Curragh today. The main dangers are Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On and a powerful O’Brien team of five, including Ribblesdale runner-up Johanna Walsh.
Verdict: Back to win — progressive filly on the upgrade, Haggas confident, and the Ribblesdale form entitles her to take her chance at the highest level.
