Zannda doubt for Irish Oaks

Connections say Zannda is unlikely to contest the Darley Irish Oaks if the weather does not change before the July 18 race.

Pat Downes, manager for the Aga Khan’s Irish Studs, says rain is needed if Zannda is to compete in the Classic at the Curragh.

“Plans for her would be entirely dependent on the weather because we would need current conditions to change,” Downes is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“Ideally, we want some ease in the ground for her and we don’t quite have that at the moment, so until we are certain of having her conditions we have no immediate plans for her.

“If we did get rain, the Irish Oaks would come into the reckoning, but it would need to be considerable.”