Lava Stream and Hanalia added to Irish Oaks field

Royal Ascot runner-up Lava Stream has been supplemented for the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday, as has course winner Hanalia.

The David O’Meara-trained Lava Stream was rated just 74 at the start of the season, but has since struck gold in handicap company at Doncaster and in a Listed race at Goodwood before performing above expectations when beaten a neck by Port Fairy in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

She has been added to the Irish Oaks field at a cost of €50,000, and owners Elwick Stud are excited to be heading to the Curragh with a “fighting chance” of claiming Classic glory.

“We just thought with the Ribblesdale form being so strong and the winner of the Ribblesdale being favourite for the Irish Oaks, we may as well take our chance,” said stud manager Gary Moore.

“The form is there, that’s the reason why we’re going. There’s only a couple of Oaks you want to win, this is one of them and you’re able to take on three-year-olds rather than waiting to take on older fillies in the Yorkshire Oaks next time.

“She goes on any ground – the ground won’t bother at all. Even if she gets placed it would be amazing – for the stud, for David, for everyone.

“We’re hoping that we’re going over there with a fighting chance.”

Owned by the Aga Khan, Hanalia has won two of her three starts for Johnny Murtagh – losing her maiden tag at the Curragh in May – and is set to step up to a mile and a half for the first time after winning the Naas Oaks Trial over an extended 10 furlongs last month.

Port Fairy is the Aidan O’Brien first string as the trainer seeks an eighth win in the Curragh Classic, with the Willie Mullins-trained Lope De Lilas the second favourite as she prepares to carry the Wathnan Racing colours for the first time.

Gavin Hernon’s Prix de Diane fifth Dare To Dream, the Paddy Twomey-trained Purple Lily, Port Fairy’s stablemate Content and David Menuisier’s Epsom Oaks third War Chimes also feature among 18 confirmations.

Watch the Irish Oaks from the Curragh on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player