ANA and Donnacha O’Brien will have to forget family ties today as they take on father Aidan in the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. Donnacha will be represented by A Boy Named Susie in the seven-furlong Group 2, with the smart debut winner remaining in Ana’s colours following his three-length success in Killarney.

“He’s in good form,” Donnacha told The Irish Field. “He’s come out of Killarney well. Obviously, it’s big step up in grade and you’re never actually sure until you run them in these races, but we’re hopeful of a good run.”

The Starspangledbanner colt’s perfect start came in a race previously won by the likes of Lambourn and Luxembourg, which was run over a mile, and his trainer has no concerns about dropping back a furlong today. On his Killarney win, Donnacha commented: “The race turned into a three-furlong sprint and he showed plenty of pace, so we’re not worried about the step back to seven.”

The greatest worry for A Boy Named Susie appears to be impressive Galway maiden winner Constitution River, who heads the betting for Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan. The same connections are also short-priced favourites for the following Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes, with Silver Flash Stakes heroine Composing well-backed to complete a hat-trick.

Ger Lyons sends his unbeaten Anglesey Stakes winner Suzie Songs, while Donnacha O’Brien appears to have a strong chance with the twice group-placed Balantina. A maiden winner over six furlongs at the track in May, the Ten Sovereigns filly went on to finish third in the Albany Stakes won by Venetian Sun, who bids to make it four from four in the Prix Morny on Sunday.

Balantina proved that today’s trip of seven furlongs was in her grasp last time out when headed close home in the Group 3 Prix Six Perfections. “She was unlucky not to win in Deauville the last day, but she’s in good form,” O’Brien reported.

“It’s a small field, but it’s very competitive. Again, hopefully she runs as well, there doesn’t seem to be a lot between the first three.”