PEPPER CAN RUB SALT INTO RIVALS

CAYENNE Pepper gets the vote to secure a first Group 1 triumph in the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon.

The Jessica Harrington-trained filly ran a number of fine races in quality company last season and if she can return to that level she could take beating.

Her Group 2 success over this course and distance last September is a strong piece of form as is her second in the Irish Oaks.

Admittedly she was well beaten on her comeback but does tend to progress well from her first run of the season which is why she is given preference over Santa Barbara.

That filly was a beaten favourite in the English 1000 Guineas where she ran a good fourth and last time out she might have found the trip too far in the Epsom Oaks.

She remains a filly with the potential to make her mark at Group 1 level and represents the biggest threat to the selection.

Today’s card also features a pair of Group 2 contests and in the first of these, the Airlie Stud Stakes, it is hard to look past Cheerupsleepyjean.

She boasts by far the best form on offer having run a superb third in last week’s Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

If she runs to anything like that level she will give her trainer, Fozzy

Stack, a second straight victory in this race.

In the other Group 2 event on the card, the Comer Group International Curragh Cup, the Aidan O’brien-trained Passion looks by far the strongest option.

She is the highest rated runner in the field and reached the frame in several Group 1 events last season which puts her on a different level to these opponents.