Ryan Moore on Jackie Oh, Aesops Fables and his other rides on Sunday as the Irish Champions Festival’s second day moves to the Curragh

Ryan Moore will be hopeful for more high-level success as the second day of the Irish Champions Festival takes place at Curragh. 

He will be onboard some big names including Jackie Oh, and Aesops Fables, who won a Group 2 race on this racecourse last season. 

Here, Betfair ambassador Moore goes through his five rides on Sunday.

14:25 Curragh

Jackie Oh

She showed what we always thought she was capable of when winning well on soft ground at Gowran Park last time, and I can see her going well. I know the ground is likely to be quicker here, though there is some rain due over the weekend, but she ran okay in the Irish Guineas on good and this is more her trip. We also have three others in here who certainly all have their chance. There is probably little between all four in truth, and the field in general come to think of it. Very little separates these fillies.

14:55 Curragh

Aesops Fables

He won his Group 2 here last season and finished fourth to Al Riffa in the National Stakes at this track too, and hopefully we will see a better performance than his run in the Nunthorpe last time. But I’d forgive him that run, and he has an each-way chance on those juvenile efforts and his previous two runs this season. Highfield Princess and Bradsell look the obvious ones to beat, but you have to respect Art Power back at the Curragh, too.

15:25 Curragh

Ylang Ylang

She was very impressive here on her debut and then stepped forward when beating the subsequent impressive Debutante winner Vespertilio in a Group 3 at Leopardstown last time, and that filly re-opposes here. She is an exciting prospect for the stable, and hopefully she can prove that here. Our other two fillies looks more of place prospects but they could yet surprise.

16:00 Curragh

City Of Troy

City Of Troy followed up his maiden success here with a top-class performance at Newmarket last time, beating the subsequent Vintage Stakes winner Haatem by a wide margin. I’d like to think he will still be unbeaten after this race but Bucanero Fuerte, stepping up to 7f for the first time, will be the best opponent he has faced yet after the way he dismissed a good field in the Phoenix Stakes last time. In fact, the handicapper rates him 1lb better than us, so this is some match-up. Saying that, probably three others in here may be fancying their chances too, and our Henry Longfellow is not a colt I would underestimate after his Futurity win last time. It looks a proper race.

16:35 Curragh

Kyprios

He proved himself some stayer last season, unbeaten in six starts from 1m6f to 2m4f, on quick ground to bottomless, including in this contest last season, one of four straight Group 1 successes. At his best, you’d be very confident of him winning this but this is his belated seasonal debut and it’s a tough ask to expect him to be cherry ripe here. Only four runners against him, but Eldar Eldarov and Emily Dickinson will be no pushovers.