Alexandrova may feel heat in Irish Oaks

Alexandrova, who looked like the second coming of All Along when she won the English Oaks by six lengths on June 2, could have her mettle tested in the $507,000 Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Sunday.

A Sadler's Wells filly trained by Aidan O'Brien, Alexandrova will be opposed in the 1 1/2-mile race by Confidential Lady, winner of the 1 5/16-mile French Oaks, as well as the first two from Royal Ascot's 1 1/2-mile Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, Mont Etoile and Scottish Stage. The English Oaks runner-up Rising Cross, eighth since then in the Italian Oaks, and maiden no-hoper Flyingit complete the short field.

Alexandrova will turn back the challengers if she runs anywhere close to her English Oaks performance, which earned her a Timeform rating of 123.