Alexandrova completes double

Alexandrova proved a class apart as she cruised to victory in the $507,000 Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Sunday, giving trainer Aidan O'Brien his 12th Irish classic triumph but only his first in this 1 1/2-mile test for fillies.

In defeating Scottish Stage by four lengths, Alexandrova also completed the English Oaks-Irish Oaks double, having landed the Epsom fillies classic by six lengths from Rising Cross on June 2. Rising Cross was third on Sunday, a length behind the runner-up.

Ridden by Kieren Fallon, Alexandrova crossed the line in 2:29.69 to become the eighth filly to take the Oaks in both England and Ireland in the last 30 years, the most recent being Ouija Board in 2004.

* Heart's Cry, the Dubai Sheema Classic winner, arrived in England from Japan on Sunday for his meeting with Hurricane Run in Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on July 29.