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O’Brien confirms Curragh plans for stable stars

Aidan O’Brien confirmed the Irish 2,000 Guineas route for Magna Grecia as he detailed plans for several stable stars at the Curragh next weekend.

Magna Grecia  will as expected attempt to follow up his Newmarket success in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas, while Magical is set to be O’Brien’s main contender in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Hermosa will run in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, en route to the French Oaks, rather than head to Epsom for the Investec Oaks.

“Magna Grecia, Hermosa and Magical are all well and on target for the Curragh next weekend,” said O’Brien.

“Everything has gone to plan so far.

“We mapped out the three runs for Magical, with the Tattersalls Gold Cup as her first main target this season.

“It’s possible we will have a few more runners in both Guineas. The ones that will be left in are possibles.”

O’Brien had a change of heart with Newmarket Classic winner Hermosa.

“We were thinking originally of going for the Oaks with Hermosa – but it’s less than a week between the Irish Guineas and the Oaks,” he said.

“We decided we’d go to the Irish Guineas, and from there on to the French Oaks.

“The French Oaks is worth nearly twice what the English Oaks is worth, and we thought it would be a nice stepping stone to go from a mile up to a mile and a quarter.

“Happen could also run, along with Just Wonderful, while Fleeting might go for the Oaks.

“Fairyland will be left in and is a possible, but could go back in distance.”