Five who advanced their Series claims over weekend

Doyle gives Sea Of Class an admiring look after her superb Darley Irish Oaks success.  Picture: Racingfotos.com

There were several noteworthy performances in Britain and Ireland over the weekend. We select a handful of horses who ran well and could be worth looking out for in the Series over the next three months.

SEA OF CLASS

The William Haggas-trained filly oozed class when coming from last to first under James Doyle in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday.

It was a superb ride by Doyle, who did not use his whip on the daughter of Sea Of Stars, but take nothing away from the brilliant winner. The Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on August 23, won by Enable last year, must be a possible next destination for her.

FOREVER TOGETHER

Forever Together was probably a little flattered to get to within a neck of Sea Of Class in the Irish Oaks, but it was still a fine run by the Investec Oaks winner.

She showed that fast ground holds no fears for her at the Curragh but it was soft ground when she excelled at Epsom and so a wet autumn will not inconvenience her. She remains one to keep in mind for the William Hill St Leger and QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

HAVANA GREY

Havana Grey was among the best two-year-old sprinters and his smooth win in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday suggests he could rise to the top in the second half of the summer.

Karl Burke’s charge beat two solid yardsticks, Caspian Prince and Mabs Cross, with something to spare and not surprisingly he was trimmed to 10-1 by several bookmakers for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month.  

MAGICAL

The daughter of Galileo was among the best two-year-olds of last season and her decisive win in the Group 2 Kilboy Estates Stakes, over nine furlongs, at the Curragh on Sunday indicates she will be  a player at the highest level for the rest of the summer.

She would be an interesting contender in the Qatar Nassau Stakes over an extra furlong at Goodwood August 2.

STRATUM

It seems next month’s Ebor at York will be Stratum’s next target but it is not difficult to see Willie Mullins’ lightly raced, progressive stayer contesting races at a higher level before the year is out.

If he continues to climb the ranks then the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, at Ascot on Champions Day, might become a possibility.