THE filly believed to be Willie Mullins’ first ever runner in the Irish Oaks has been smashed by punters – as the Closutton boss looks to conquer the Flat.
The powerful Wathnan Racing operation snapped up Lope De Lilas after she won a Leopardstown maiden in the silks of Mullins’ wife Jackie last May.
She hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since but Wathnan’s retained rider James Doyle was at Closutton getting to grips with her on Tuesday.
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Wathnan, owned by the Emir of Qatar, went on a massive spending spree before Royal Ascot and banged in four winners at the summer feature.
Lope De Lilas, a daughter of Lope De Vega, is their first horse in training with Mullins, who had his own winner at the Royal meeting in the shape of Copper Horse Handicap victor Belloccio.
Bookies BoyleSports make Lope De Lilas the 9-2 second-fav behind Aidan O’Brien’s 11-4 fav Port Fairy, and Paddy Power go the same.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said Lope De Lilas had been backed in from 9-1 by their customers.
He added: “The Irish Oaks has an international feel to it this year, but the market suggests that the winner could hail from Closutton.
“Racing royalty combine as jumps King Willie Mullins and the Qatari backed Wathnan Racing join forces and the support is starting to gather momentum behind their runner, Lope De Lilas.”
Ladbrokes took a different view, however, and made the Mullins’ filly 6-1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “With no standout superstar in the Irish Oaks, it makes for a rather open looking renewal.
“Port Fairy is the one they must beat though as she bids to give Aidan O’Brien his eighth victory in the race.”
With bookies split, it looks a good chance for punters to act on any edge they think they have.
The contest is due off 3.40pm on Saturday and will be run over 1m4f at the Curragh.
Mullins’ sole Classic victory on the Flat in Ireland came courtesy of Wicklow Brave in the 2016 Irish Leger.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori that day, the 11-1 chance pulled off a monster shock in keeping red-hot 1-7 fav Order Of St George at bay.
Irish Oaks odds via Ladbrokes
5-2 Port Fairy
6-1 Lope De Lilas, Content
8-1 War Chimes, Dare To Dream
10-1 Ejaabiyah, Lava Stream
12-1 Hanalia
14-1 Purple Lily
16-1 Caught U Looking, You Got To Me
20-1 Bar
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