Damson faces six rivals at the Curragh

Damson can confirm herself a filly out of the very top drawer at the Curragh on Sunday by landing the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes, the first Group 1 race for two-year-olds this season.

The daughter of Entrepreneur looked a useful sort in a six furlongs Listed race at Naas before coming virtually from last to first for a decisive victory in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. She now takes on the colts, with a three-pronged challenge from Ballydoyle led by Russian Blue.

Jamie Spencer´s mount has already scored three times at this track, while Aidan O´Brien´s other two runners, Carnegie Hall and Oratorio, have also been on the mark at this venue. The seven runner line-up is completed by the Kevin Prendergast-trained pair Camouflage and Premier Dane, while Billet is likely to start at long odds.

The Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes is the main supporting race, and Media Puzzle finally returns to action after a 21 months gap since his Melbourne Cup triumph. But Dermot Weld´s stayer is best watched after such a long lay-off and over this ten furlongs, and Tropical Lady can come out on top again. She is bidding for a sixth successive win this season having previously landed a nine furlongs Listed race here.

The Robert H Griffin Debutante Stakes sees a virtual rerun of Leopardstown´s Silver Flash Stakes in which Silk And Scarlet beat Alexander Icequeen by a length and a half, with National Swagger and Luas Line well behind. O´Brien´s filly can again come out on top, although the well-touted Luas Line was seen in a better light when a facile winner of a Cork maiden on Monday.

The six furlongs Patrick P O´Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes has attracted a competitive field of ten runners, and the progressive Osterhase bids to extend his winning run. However he is best over the minimum distance, and Desert Fantasy gets the vote following an unlucky third under top-weight in the Scurry Handicap here on Derby day.

Alan Magee