Menuisier hoping Inis has Mor to offer in Oaks

David Menuisier is intrigued to see if the move up to a mile and a half can see Inis Mor secure Classic honours at the Curragh on Saturday after his star filly featured among 11 declarations for the Juddmonte Irish Oaks.

The daughter of Galiway has thrived since moving up in distance to 10 furlongs, beating subsequent Royal Ascot scorer William Haggas’ Earth Shot at Goodwood in the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes and the pair will meet again this weekend.

Inis Mor went on to secure a place on the podium behind Diamond Necklace in the French Oaks, a run that convinced connections to stump up €50,000 to supplement the Quantum Leap Racing-owned filly, with Menuisier looking forward to the challenge of the Curragh feature.

“She ran well in France and seems in good form and it will be interesting to see if she can improve slightly for the step up in trip,” said Menuisier.

“It’s now down to the horse to prove herself at that trip and Oisin (Murphy) seems to think she should stay, that was his first impression after the Prix de Diane.

“We tend to not look at the opposition too much and if she stays then I think she should run a really good race.”

The aforementioned Earth Shot will not only recommence rivalry with Inis Mor but also Johanna Walsh, who was a head adrift in second when they locked horns in the Ribblesdale Stakes and is one of three declared by Joseph O’Brien.

O’Brien’s trio is headed by Thundering On who has already delivered one breathtaking display to win a Classic when impressing in the Oaks at Epsom. She will now attempt to repeat the achievement of Minnie Hauk 12 months ago by supplementing that triumph on home soil but needs to bounce back from defeat in the Pretty Polly.

The unbeaten Rebel Moon completes the Owning Hill handler’s team, while his father Aidan O’Brien’s chief hope of a record-extending ninth win is likely to come via Cheshire Oaks scorer Amelia Earhart, who was sent off a well-backed favourite at Epsom when a disappointing sixth.

Stablemates Sugar Island and Cameo were third and fifth respectively at Epsom, with the Ballydoyle contingent also containing Beautify.

Completing the line-up is Jim Bolger’s unbeaten Sparan Nua, a taking winner of the Munster Oaks when last sighted.