Irish Derby Festival: Minding has Pretty Polly at her mercy

Minding encountered all sort of trouble in-running at Epsom and nearly got knocked over at one stage, but recovered to scythe through the field and quicken smartly to beat Architecture be a neck.

It was a display of a superstar, and Minding’s official rating of 120 gives her 7lb and upwards on her rivals.

The drop back to 1m 2f will also suit, and this looks Minding’s for the taking.

Koora the forecast choice

Koora shaped well on seasonal reappearance and looks the most likely one to chase home Minding.

The Luca Cumani trained filly showed progressive form throughout last season when winning two of her six starts, rounding off the campaign with a career-best effort when landing the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury.

Koora travelled strongly throughout on the heels of the leaders, and after being produced to lead at the furlong marker on had to be driven out by jockey Jamie Spencer to comfortably beat Melodius by 1 1/2 lengths.

The manner of the success suggested that Koora needed keeping firmly onside, and that view was confirmed when Koora chased home Beautiful Romance in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York last month.

Koora is sure to strip much fitter for that outing and, with the stable in good form, looks up to making an impact at this level.

Related

You’ll find more Irish Derby Festival tips on our Curragh page.

Coral’s top tip: Minding looks in a different league to her rivals and is impossible to oppose. Koora is a likeable sort and can chase her home.