2022 Irish Oaks Ante-Post Tip – Dave Stevos
2022 Irish Oaks Ante-Post Tip
The big race this weekend is the 2022 Irish Oaks at the Curragh. Only eleven horses remained in the running after final forfeits and in the hope it cuts up further, I am going to back a horse before declarations tomorrow. Emily Upjohn is clearly going to be very difficult to beat but with three places on offer, I am going to take a chance on a lively outsider from a red hot yard.
Jessica Harrington’s string has really found top gear in the last couple of weeks and she runs two here. The 109 rated Magical Lagoon is a 9/2 shot after her Royal Ascot G2 win. She is the most obvious one but at almost ten times her price, Fennela is a fascinating contender. This thrice raced daughter of Sea The Stars is regally bred. She is a half to G1 winner Lord Shanakill and also to Epsom Oaks winner (and Irish Oaks runner up) Forever Together.
Progressive Filly
This progressive filly has taken a couple of runs to get the hang of racing. Over 10f on debut at Naas in April she endured a rough trip but stayed on takingly in the closing stages. She finished 5L behind the winner Emily Dickinson, since beaten a short head in a G3 (re-opposes today). She still showed signs of inexperience on her next start at the Curragh (10f gd). Dusty Foley had to push her soon after leaving the stalls and he was rowing away as they turned into the straight. It took an age for Fennela to hit top gear and by the time she did, the race was over.
That 3L fourth was an improvement on her previous run and last time, she got off the mark. Harrington stepped her up to 12f at the Curragh and this time, she knew her job. She broke well, sat quietly behind the leaders and Foley pushed her into the lead 2f out. He simply kept her rolling and, in the end, she ran out a very easy 2.25L winner. I thought initially Foley had got there far too soon but she galloped on strongly all the way home.
Step Up In Class
Ideally, you’d have liked to see this filly in a Listed or G3 before backing her in a race like this. However, apart from Emily Upjohn and Tuesday this doesn’t look the strongest of renewals and Fennela wouldn’t need to improve massively to trouble the likes of Emily Dickinson (20/1), History (16/1) or even Tranquil Lady (9/1).
After her win last time the plan was always to go straight to this race. She has had a nice 45 day break and unlike a lot of her rivals, she hasn’t had a hard race yet this season. On pedigree this filly should be competitive in these sort of races and the manner of her last victory suggested that there could still be plenty more in the tank. At odds of 40/1, hopefully Fennela can power home late for a place.
