Heavens sent to bid for Irish oaks

7/17/12 - The John Gosden-trained Great Heavens will bid to continue a stunning run of success for her trainer and will travel to Ireland on Sunday to tackle the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks after owner Lady Rothschild supplemented the recent impressive Haydock scorer into the classic contest, writes Elliot Slater.

Lady Rothschild has also enjoyed a stunning run of victories over the last few weeks which included the highly impressive victory of her Nathaniel, (a full brother to Great Heavens), in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown earlier in the month.  

With Nathaniel still one of the favourites on Betfair for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, this coming weekend could turn out to be something extra special for the high profile British racehorse owner/breeder.

Great Heavens certainly deserves her chance to have a crack at the highest level after a visually impressive win in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks on July 7 in which she destroyed the opposition and eventually coasted home to an easy five length success over the useful Shimmering Sea.

Well capable of showing her best form with plenty of give in the ground, connections, racegoers and general punters betting on horse racing will be delighted to hear that the Gosden-trained three-year-old should have her optimum conditions at the Curragh on Sunday as she bids to rest the prize from the grasp of Aidan O'Brien, who accounts for six of the 11 five-day entries for the mile-and-a-half contest.

That includes Epsom Oaks winner Was, who races for the first time since her classic triumph.