Five horses to follow at the Curragh this weekend

Race: (Sunday) 

will have plenty of supporters, but Aidan O’Brien is taken to land a record-extending 16th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with . 

On the bare form, the Camelot colt has over three lengths to make up with James Fanshawe’s charge following their second and third-placed efforts respectively in the Betfred Derby. 

However, I thought Los Angeles did well to finish as close as he did at Epsom given some of his antics pre-race. He got very warm in the parade ring and was very fractious when being saddled by O’Brien, and indeed on his way down to the start. 

He perhaps lacks the same finishing kick as Ambiente Friendly, who caught the eye with the way in which he travelled into contention at Epsom and the favourite commands all sorts of respect, but I believe Los Angeles will be better suited by the return to a more conventional, galloping track where can really let him down early in the home straight. Hopefully he can outstay his rivals in a similar vein to his Leopardstown Derby Trial win. 

It's conceivable that Ambiente Friendly may just have too many gears, but given the size and scope of Los Angeles - and at the prices - I’m hopeful that there is plenty more to come and he gets the nod in his bid to emulate his sire's success in this back in 2012. 

Race: (Saturday)

Aidan O’Brien is strongly represented in this six-furlong Group Two event and the master trainer has won this six times in the last decade, but American Bar looks an exciting prospect who could serve it up to the Ballydoyle batallion. 

She caught the eye with how she flashed home at last time in a winning debut for Paddy Twomey, producing a devastating turn of foot close home after being trapped wide throughout the extended six-furlong event. Runner-up was far from disgraced when beaten just six and three-quarter lengths in the Albany last time, while the fourth has also won since. 

Post-race, rider reported American Bar to have “rolled a little left in the final furlong” so she should also come on for the experience. 

O’Brien has an enviable team of juveniles - as evidenced by his Royal Ascot success - and both and January are greatly feared. 

Race: (Saturday) 

Named after the famous painter, Jan Brueghel created quite the impression on debut over course and distance back in May when he defied market weakness to make a winning start by eight lengths. Bidding to give Aidan O’Brien a fifth win in the last 10 runnings of this race, he rates as my strongest fancy of the weekend. 

The son of Galileo is a full-brother to Irish Derby hero and Queen Alexandra Stakes hero so a step up in trip looks likely in time, but he showed he had the pace to score over 10 furlongs and his unexposed profile makes plenty of appeal in a race featuring some interesting opposition, including fellow course and distance scorer Trustyourinstinct, progressive filly and British raider . 

(Saturday) 

“Ralph Beckett has a great knack with fillies” - an adage as old as time, but certainly one that rings true. 

And Bluestocking looks to have plenty going for her in this Group One feature. Second in the Irish Oaks last term, she looked a filly who had developed further over the winter when a dominant winner of the Middleton Stakes on her return last time, scorching clear on the Knavesmire to score by six lengths. 

It would be fair to say that the daughter of Camelot  has previously flattered to deceive on occasions, but it could be that the return to 10 furlongs was the making of her last time out. Second over that trip to subsequent Yorkshire Oaks heroine Warm Heart at the beginning of last season, she seems to be able to utilise her potent turn of foot to greater effect over the distance compared to 12 furlongs. 

Versatile regarding ground, galloping tracks also seem to suit and she is taken to record a first Group One success at the main expense of . While feared, she is hard to fancy after what superficially looked a bitterly disappointing performance at last time out. 

Race: (Friday) 

Yet to win in four starts on turf, Johnny Murtagh’s charge posted a career-best when chinned close home over course and distance last time out. 

Transcending Glory had been raised 9lb for a previous win at and his latest Curragh effort clearly showed there is potentially more improvement to come and the form has a decent look to it, given the fifth shaped with plenty of promise when fourth in the Hampton Court Stakes at the Royal Meeting last week. 

Raised another 2lb and still unexposed and representing for a trainer operating at a 13 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight, this three-year-old looks worth siding with.