15:10 Leopardstown

Saturday 12 September 2020

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1016:4517:1517:50

Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 1)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 1m 39.77s

(9)

Lady Wannabe¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 96| D

150/1

Useful filly but not at best this season and firmly up against it here.

Form: 217-477

(1)

Wilds Dreams²³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 95

40/1

Useful filly. Won 9-runner minor event at Palermo (7f, firm). Off 7 months. First run for yard after leaving Nicolas A. Gaitan. Plenty to find on form.

Form: 751111

(3)

Albigna¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 111| BF| D

9/1

Leading juvenile filly but (6/5 favourite) disappointed on her return when sixth in Irish 1000 Guineas. Similar form when only second in Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at the Curragh 2 weeks ago.

Form: 1614-62

(8)

Champers Elysees¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 110| D

9/2

Smart filly. Winner of all 3 starts this season, notably Fairy Bridge Stakes (5/6) at Gowran (7.5f, soft) 10 days ago by ½ length from Pearls Galore, cosily. Respected.

Form: 612-111

(5)

Fancy Blue⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 114| D

9/4

Runner-up to Peaceful in Irish 1000 Guineas before reversing form with that one when winning Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Followed up in Nassau at Goodwood since and obvious claims back down in trip.

Form: 11-211

(10)

Know It All⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 109| CD

10/1

Smart filly. C&D winner. 1 win from 3 runs this year. Very good ¾-length third of 6 to Watch Me in Prix Rothschild (12/1) at Deauville (8f, good) 41 days ago. On the upgrade.

Form: 173-213

(2)

Love Locket^b1⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100| C

66/1

Useful filly. 1 win from 3 runs this year. 5¾ lengths fourth of 6 to Romanised in Minstrel Stakes (14/1) at the Curragh (7f, good to soft) 56 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 712-164

(6)

New York Girl⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105

40/1

Lightly-raced winner. 7¼ lengths seventh of 8 to Even So in Irish Oaks at the Curragh (12f, good to soft, 16/1) 56 days ago. Significantly back down in trip.

Form: 41-477

(11)

Peaceful⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| D

11/4

Beat Fancy Blue by 2 lengths to win Irish 1000 Guineas on return and close third behind that rival in Prix de Diane at Chantilly next time. Sure to make another bold bid back down in trip.

Form: 912-13

(7)

So Wonderful^b²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

25/1

Useful filly. 11/2, didn't need to improve to win 9-runner listed race at Killarney (8.2f, heavy) 22 days ago by nose from Up Helly Aa. Plenty more needed back at this level.

Form: 752211

(4)

Valeria Messalina⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 109

11/1

Lightly-raced winner. Latest win at Cork in July. Very good short-head second of 12 to One Master in Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good to firm, 12/1) 43 days ago, albeit seen to good effect.

Form: 12-912

Forecasts

Fancy Blue (9/4), Peaceful (11/4), Champers Elysees (9/2), Albigna (9/1), Know It All (10/1), Valeria Messalina (11/1), So Wonderful (25/1), New York Girl (40/1), Wilds Dreams (40/1), Love Locket (66/1), Lady Wannabe (150/1)

The big question is whether FANCY BLUE can replicate the level of form she has shown over 1¼m at 1m. The trip does look a disadvantage but she may be good enough to overcome it, arriving on a roll having won Group 1s on her last 2 starts. Old-rival Peaceful is the obvious threat, while Johnny Murtagh's fillies Champers Elysees and Know It All should give a good account