AP McCoy's Amelia Earheart Seeks Redemption in Irish Oaks

AP McCoy's Amelia Earheart Seeks Redemption in Irish Oaks

AP McCoy's Amelia Earheart will look to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the English Oaks when she lines up in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

What happened?

Amelia Earheart, the 7-4 favourite for the Betfred Oaks in June, was ridden with more than two furlongs to race and trailed home in sixth behind Thundering On at Epsom.

Why it matters for AP McCoy

The Irish Oaks is a Group One event, and Amelia Earheart will face stiff competition, including William Haggas' Ribblesdale Stakes heroine Earth Shot, who is now the new favourite at 11-4.

What comes next?

Ryan Moore, Amelia Earheart's jockey, believes that the filly will be a different proposition in the Irish Oaks, citing unusual conditions at Epsom as a factor in her disappointing performance.

"She's still got plenty to prove, but she'll like being back at the Curragh and the headgear could help too," Moore said in his World Pool blog. "It's a deep renewal and a very open race."

Johanna Walsh, a stablemate of Thundering On, has been popular with punters, having been an 8-1 shot in the build-up. She was only beaten a head at Royal Ascot and Joseph O'Brien said: "She has had a good preparation since then. We think she will enjoy the fast ground and the Curragh and we are looking forward to seeing how she goes."

Owners Wathnan Racing had Oaks fourth A La Prochaine entered in the Classic, however Earth Shot will go solo as the mount of James Doyle. "I loved the attitude she showed (at Ascot) as she was still green and had to challenge wide," said Wathnan's racing manager Richard Brown. "It's a case of her still learning on the job and she will have to come forward again, but we are hopeful she will."

The Irish Oaks takes place on 24 July at the Curragh, with Amelia Earheart looking to prove herself in a competitive field.

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