RACING NEWS:JOHN OXX admits Baliyana is up against it in the Ballygallon Stud Debutante Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow. The Group Two contest has attracted a host of well-regarded fillies, including Jim Bolger's Albany Stakes winner Cuis Ghaire and Dermot Weld's impressive Galway scorer Rare Ransom.
But Baliyana comes with a pretty tall reputation herself and was sent off 11 to 10 favourite for her debut, in which she finished third behind the reopposing Oui Say Oui.
"She's shown us a bit at home. She had a run a month ago over six furlongs and ran well so she'll be happier over seven," said Oxx.
"We don't know how she'd handle it if the ground got very soft, we would have to find out. Hopefully she will be in the shake-up but there are a couple of nice fillies such as Jim Bolger's Ascot winner (Cuis Ghaire) and Rare Ransom, who they think a lot of. We've also go a bit to catch up on Tommy Stack's (Oui Say Oui), who beat us last time."
Kevin Prendergast believes soft ground will be in Moiqen's favour when he tackles older horses for the first time in the United Arab Emirates Royal Whip Stakes.
The Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned three-year-old has fallen just short of the top level since winning the Ballysax Stakes in April.
He was no match for Derby third Casual Conquest in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, but only four lengths away from Campanologist in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"He's run some very sound races this season and the ground was very fast at Ascot last time - he just couldn't get going on it and he finished fifth," said Prendergast.
"But he wasn't beaten very far. The ease in the ground will be a big help to him on Sunday. We've had an awful lot of rain — he needs a good dig in the ground but we think he'll run a big race.
"He was second in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and won a Derby Trial so he's done all right.
"I don't think running against older horses will bother him as he's a sturdy sort.
Benbaun returns to his favourite track as he takes in the Patrick P O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes. Mark Wallace's stable star has won on six occasions at the Co Kildare venue, but has not hit the target since landing the biggest victory of his career in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp last October.
Benbaun has found life tough with a Group One penalty but put up his best performance of the season on his last visit to this country when he was second to Tax Free.
"It's not ideal giving weight away but the ground is the major concern," said Wallace. "It's very tempting to run given that he is drawn well, so hopefully it is not too soft.
The older he is getting he seems he is able to handle softer ground. If he handles it okay he will take all the beating - they've had a lot of rain but as long as it is not heavy we will take our chance.
"It is a concern but the horse is in good form and if he's there, he's the one to beat."
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