The Listed Noblesse Stakes is the feature event at Cork this afternoon and Joseph O’Brien can strike with another foreign import in Ottilien.
The trainer won a Group Three contest at the Curragh on Sunday with Goldana, who had been racing in Germany, and now takes the wraps off this French-bred daughter of Holy Roman Emperor.
The four-year-old was last seen running a cracker to finish third in the Group One Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp on Arc weekend.
Despite doing most of her racing in France she was actually British-based with David Menuisier.
Ottilien came into that Group One off the back of a listed win at Saint-Cloud, over today’s trip of a mile-and-a-half, and as a result has to carry a penalty against her rivals.
That does make life a bit tougher but she looks a class above the field, with an official mark of 108, and O’Brien’s horses rarely lack for fitness first time up.
Next best on the book is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Term Of Endearment who has a mark of 100.
This Sea The Moon filly was placed twice in stakes company last season and ran really well to chase home Yaxeni in a listed contest at Naas on her final start.
If there are any chinks in the armour of Ottilien she looks the one to take advantage.
The 10-furlong conditions race could well be a stakes event itself and Alder looks the one to beat for Donnacha O’Brien.
This Australia colt was last seen finishing a fine third to Guineas and Derby favourite Auguste Rodin in Group Two company at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.
Alder holds entries for both the English and Irish Derbies himself and this looks a nice race to start his campaign.
The concluding10-furlong handicap has also attracted some decent sorts and Vellner is one that catches the eye on his return to action.
Paddy Twomey’s charge ran a couple of nice races in maidens early last season before opening his account in good style at the Curragh.
He was described as very green early in his career and there looks scope for plenty of improvement this season from the son of Galileo Gold.
It looks a strong race with Sionnach Eile heading the weights on his return. Joe Murphy’s charge won his last two last season, taking a competitive Galway handicap in impressive fashion when last seen in the summer.
