The heat wave continues and the norm for ground description is good to firm. Flat racing ground as it should be with hoofs rattling off burnt turf. Clerks have a job keeping it safe but its something to relish when nature gifts a summer of sound surfaces.

The Curragh today will be quick for the eight fillies who line up for the Irish Oaks.

The Ribblesdale winner Riposte takes on the Epsom winner Talent. At Ascot Lady Cecil’s filly beat Just Pretending 2 1/4 L  in a classy performance while Talent sprung somewhat of a surprise in the Oaks when beating her more fancied stablemate Secret Gesture. She picked up beautifully in the hands of Richard Hughes and stormed clear proving herself the best in the race.

Johnny Murtagh has been booked for his local knowledge by Alain De Royer-Dupre on Chiquita who comes here from the Prix Diane. Wound up at the back she made headway down the outside to snatch second. The very impressive winner Treve had already flown.

An Irish filly hasn’t won this since 2008 when Moonstone conquered and the home team is made of three from Ballydoyle , Just Pretending, Venus De Milo, Magical Dream and the Tommy Stack trained Alive Alive Oh. Of the O’Brien trio Venus De Milo is shortest in the betting at 6/1. She’s only seen the racecourse twice winning a Fairyhouse maiden and the Oaks trial at Naas three weeks ago, the latter on ground similar to this. Seamus Heffernan was in the plate at Naas and retains the ride while Joseph O’Brien renews his partnership with Just Pretending Seamie having ridden her the last twice.

Fossy Stack walked the entire course at Ascot before withdrawing Alive Alive Oh from the Ribblesdale where she would have gone off favourite. He must have known within ten strides that it was too much of a risk to run the Sue Ann Foley owned filly on Ascot’s fast ground. She previously blew away Magical Dream 6 L at Navan on yielding ground landing a considerable gamble most probably for the owners father JP McManus. Fossy will make the same walk across the Curragh but with the late start and the mercury rising G/F will be guaranteed. It must be frustrating for connections but if she wasn’t to be risked at Ascot then why do it here.

This is a very decent 3 year old fillies race with the best of European form on show. Riposte is appealing considering her ability to handle the ground. Talent may like it, it was G/S at Epsom but there’s a question mark. Both are short in the market.

Just Pretending is unconsidered yet she keeps improving with every run and has shown she handles this quick surface. She won an Irish Guineas trial before coming third to Just The Judge in the the Irish 1000 Guineas and while she didn’t have the turn of foot to cope with Riposte at Ascot she may benefit from this sharper Curragh track. She’s a Ballydoyle filly whose become battle hardened and that makes her capable of stepping it up and at 12/1 she’s an attractive each way proposition.

Recommendation : Just Pretending 12/1 e/w