'She's lovely and she delighted us at Goodwood' - leading Oaks fancy Dreamy out to make it two from two

Dreamy: was a first Goodwood winner for American PharoahCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien wasn't sure Dreamy was streetwise enough to cope with the demands of Goodwood, so he was pleasantly surprised when she made a winning debut during another glorious week for Ballydoyle.

Dreamy hit a high of 37-1 in running on Betfair that day, but she got the message late from Ryan Moore and quickened smartly to beat Bouvier by half a length and is now generally 20-1 for the 2025 Oaks at Epsom.

Those odds could tumble if she makes it two from two in the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (2.20) at the Curragh, where she faces eight rivals and will attempt to give her trainer back-to-back wins following the success of Opera Singer last year.

O'Brien said: "She's a lovely filly and, to be honest, we weren't really sure she would know enough the first day at Goodwood. We were absolutely delighted she was still able to win and we think she has come forward nicely since then. We hope there is plenty more to come from her and we've been very happy with everything she has done since."

The big danger to Dreamy comes in the shape of Alla Stella, a rare Curragh runner these days for Sir Mark Prescott.

She was impressive on her penultimate outing at Kempton before finishing a respectable fourth in a Listed event at Sandown last time.

William Butler, assistant trainer to Prescott, said: "It was a very good run in the Star Stakes last time after winning her maiden at Kempton beforehand. This looked like a good opportunity as she's back up to a mile and it's worth taking her chance. We're very hopeful of a good run."

Fiery Lucy should not be underestimated either. Gavin Cromwell has his team purring right now, sending out four winners across Wednesday and Thursday, and this filly chased home the talented Heavens Gate in the lucrative Ballyhane Stakes at Naas this month. She's got pace and a touch of class, but the big question is whether she will stay a mile as she has never gone beyond 6f before.

The Group 3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes (2.50) has been won by some classy Ballydoyle-based sprinters in recent years.

U S Navy Flag won it in 2017, Ten Sovereigns a year later and Lope Y Fernandez the year after that. Time time Ides Of March looks sure to be sent off a warm order following an emphatic success in a maiden over course and distance.

O'Brien said: "Ides Of March is a nice colt who was very happy back over six the last day. He's got pace and seems to be in very good form."

O'Brien's two sons pose his biggest threat as Joseph runs the 102-rated Rudi's Apple, while Donnacha is represented by Usdi Atohi, who has a Listed win to her name at Tipperary and was a close-up fifth to Big Mojo in the Molecomb at Goodwood.

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