Taghrooda on course for Classic double in Darley Irish Oaks

Australia

pulled off the Epsom-Curragh Derby double and it looks like Taghrooda is on course to attempt a similar Classic feat in Saturday week’s Darley Irish Oaks. If anything the unbeaten Taghrooda was even more impressive when landing last month’s Epsom Oaks than Australia was in the Derby

and trainer John Gosden has given the clearest indication yet she will attempt a follow-up at the Curragh.

Taghrooda's defeat of Tarfasha at Epsom completed a 1-2 for owner Sheikh Hamdan and the possibility of both fillies taking each other on again at the Curragh hasn't been ruled out for a race the Shadwell team has yet to win.

Logical step

Gosden however, won the Irish Oaks two years ago with Great Heavens and agreed the Irish Classic is a logical next step for Taghrooda, adding: “She might as well stay against the fillies while she can.”

Completing the Oaks double has historically proved a tougher task with Snow Fairy in 2010 the last to do it, and the 13th in all. In comparison, Australia was the 17th colt to land the Derby double.

The Curragh’s €400,000 fillies highlight is scheduled for another Saturday evening start with a 5.35pm “off” time currently scheduled.

Gosden has also revealed there is a "strong possibility" his King Edward VII Stakes-winner Eagle Top will be supplemented into the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot a week after the Curragh. The Newmarket trainer pulled off the same move with Nathaniel three years ago. "It costs £75,000 to supplement so you have to be pretty sure of yourself but we can leave it another week. It's a strong possibility," he said.

Nathaniel won the King Edward before beating Workforce in the King George over a month later.