Hollie Doyle blog: Earth Shot can deny Epsom heroine in the Irish Oaks
Hollie Doyle provides a positive update on her recovery and has had her say on the best of this weekend's action, including the Hackwood Stakes and Irish Oaks.
Thursday 16 July 2026 18:28, UK
Our ambassador gives her verdict on a stellar Saturday card at Newbury, live on Sky Sports Racing, and reveals her thoughts on a Classic weekend at the Curragh.
Big chances for Tom on stellar day at Newbury
The Group Three Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes (3.02) is the highlight of a stellar card at Newbury on Saturday, which also features the spectacular juvenile dash, the Weatherbys Super Sprint.
I have a feeling my husband Tom (Marquand) is on the right horse in the Hackwood Stakes. The William Haggas-trained Binhareer might be better suited to stakes company after finishing out of the frame in a rough renewal of the Wokingham Stakes.
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Third in the big Royal Ascot handicap was Soldier's Tree who hasn't won since breaking his maiden in Ireland but is in good hands with James Owen and looks ready for this step up to Group company.
Draw favours Watson filly in Sprint
I'll be rooting for my boss Archie Watson's lovely filly VOLLERING in the Weatherbys Super Sprint (3.37) - a race I won on his gallant grey Eddie's Boy four years ago.
Like Middleham Park's star juvenile, this improving daughter of Sioux Nation has a great high draw in stall 26 and can give Tom (Marquand) an exciting ride on the evidence of her latest third in stakes company in France.
She showed blistering speed at Deauville and gets my vote over Rollthedicebaby, who is drawn on the opposite side in stall two. Richard Hannon has a great record in the race with three wins in the last eight years and will be expecting big things from his decisive Goodwood winner.
Ocean can make a splash in Listed opener
Tom (Marquand) has another big chance on the Brian Meehan-trained Oceans Four in the Listed BetVictor Steventon Stakes (1.55) at Newbury.
A Group winner at Chantilly last September, he clearly needed his reappearance run at Sandown but showed his class by out-running massive odds in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot.
This is a drop in grade for the three-year-old who may have the edge in the new cheekpieces over the admirably consistent Persica. He never runs a bad race but has had a tough year already in contrast to Oceans Four, who arrives at Newbury a relatively fresh horse.
Thunder to strike in feature handicap
There's a big prize in Roger Varian's young stayer Ride The Thunder who can gain an overdue success in the two-mile Pertemps Handicap (2.25) at Newbury.
He hasn't won since breaking his maiden but was unlucky to bump into the progressive Valiancy twice before running with credit in the Northumberland Plate last month and looks competitive off a slightly reduced mark of 89.
Chester Plate winner Shrimp Shady is consistent and wasn't disgraced in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle but I expect better from Andrew Balding's thorough stayer on this return to turf in a relatively small field.
Earth to give it her best shot in Irish Oaks
Earth Shot has what it takes to win a Classic and can further justify Wathnan Racing's investment in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (4.35) at The Curragh on Saturday.
William Haggas's filly impressed me in the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal Meeting, getting up late in the Group Two on only her fourth career start. I have no doubt she has more to offer and can deny Epsom heroine Thundering On an Oaks double.
It will be fascinating to see what effect the new headgear has on Aidan O'Brien's quirky filly Amelia Earhart while Jim Bolger's unbeaten Sparan Nua remains very much on the up and can play her part in an open race.
Bucanero can sparkle in Sapphire
The girls Rosy Affair and Havana Anna make plenty of appeal in the Group 2 Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes (3.25) at The Curragh.
George Boughey's mare - a plum ride for championship chasing Billy Loughnane - ran a stormer to be fourth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Donnacha O'Brien's Havana Anna emerged with similar credit in the Commonwealth Cup.
However, Bucanero Fuerte has won some big races at this track and brings the best form to the party. He's the most solid option and can take all the beating if he puts it all together for the first time this season.
Moore on right on in Railway
Aidan O'Brien appears to have the Group Two GAIN Railway Stakes (4.00) at his mercy with Confucius and Carry The Flag, who both have more to offer despite their disappointing runs at Royal Ascot.
It looks significant that Ryan Moore chooses Confucius who couldn't justify cramped odds in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes last time but it's interesting that Aidan keeps the faith in the son of No Nay Never.
Carry The Flag was doing all his best work at the finish in a Listed race over five-furlongs at Naas two weeks ago and stepping back up a furlong in first-time cheekpieces should see him make a race of it.
Big progress in recovery from injury
I received some great news on Thursday afternoon when I met with my specialist in London following my operation to repair the broken leg I sustained in that fall at Bath in May.
The bone has healed very well so I've finally been given the all-clear to weight-bear which means I can begin to strengthen the leg and gain more range in my knee and ankle.
I'll continue to put in as much work as I can at Oaksey House in Lambourn where I've been receiving invaluable physio sessions in the weeks following surgery. It's still early days but I'm delighted that my recovery is progressing so well.
