Bolger happy to be back in the big time with Sparan Nua

Jim Bolger is more than happy to roll the dice with Sparan Nua in his pursuit of a third victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks on Saturday.

Give Thanks was the veteran trainer’s first winner of the Curragh Classic in 1983 and he doubled his tally with Margarula in 2002.

Bolger has not claimed a Group One victory since Poetic Flare won the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot five years ago, but in Munster Oaks heroine Sparan Nua he feels he has a filly who at least merited being supplemented for the Irish Oaks on Tuesday at a cost of €50,000.

“She’s unbeaten in three runs, she’s a filly who is improving and she’s already won a Group Three. We didn’t want to leave her hanging around, so we thought we’d give the (Irish) Oaks a go,” the trainer told Racing TV.

“She seems to stay well and she’s in very good form, so I’m hopeful that she’ll give her true running. I do think she’s improving and I think she’ll continue to improve for some time – they’re the indications she’s been giving us.

“Last season we didn’t get to do anything with her because she was too weak and we didn’t start too early in the spring time either, so that’s how I knew very little about her. We’ve been finding out race by race and fortunately she doesn’t take much work, so she’s easy enough to handle.”

Bolger is hoping for a suitable racing surface at the Curragh and expects to have a clearer idea of whether his filly, who holds entries in the Nassau Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks, is up to Group One level or not after the weekend.

He added: “I’m told the going will be good and I’ll be very happy with that. I don’t like to see any firm in the going because it’s no help to any horse. I think good ground in the summer time should be more suitable for everybody. They’ve access to plenty of water, so there’s no excuse for not having good going.

“I’ve been around that circuit before so it was easy enough to work out where she should be entered anyway. Fortunately I have a very game owner who is willing to have a go and it should be easy enough to place her after Saturday.

“Hopefully she’ll get a clear run and all will be well afterwards. Wherever she finishes, she’s going to be telling us more about her.

“We’re giving it a go. This filly wouldn’t be as well tutored and wouldn’t be as well practised as the other two (Irish Oaks winners) were – they were ready for Group One class at that stage, whereas this filly is more or less at the experimental stage.

“I’m giving her a good chance, she seems to have a nice level of ability, she gets the trip well and handles good ground, so I’m happy enough on all those scores.

“She’s probably a nice each-way chance.”

Officials have reported a slight ease in conditions at the Curragh ahead of the two-day fixture.

Following an extended period of dry weather, the official going at the home of Irish Flat racing was described as good to firm, firm in places on Tuesday, but ground staff have been busy watering to ensure conditions are safe.

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said on Wednesday: “We had been good to firm, firm in places and watering. They’ve been watering here since last week and I’m pleased to say I’ve taken the firm out of it.

“It’s beautiful (ground), fast side of good everywhere with loads of moisture – they’re doing a fine job and will continue watering into the weekend.

“These conditions are set to continue into the weekend with temperatures of mid to high 20s with a blowing breeze here at the Curragh, so given all that I think they’re doing an excellent job here.

“We have fresh ground for the round track and the straight track for Sunday. It’s good to firm, lovely conditions for a great weekend.”