13:40 Leopardstown

Saturday 11 September 2021

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4515:1515:4516:20

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

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 1m 41.98s

(1)

Champers Elysees¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Kelly| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 112| CD

9/1

Smart filly who came from off the pace to win this 12 months ago. Not in same form this term but latest second in Group 3 at the Curragh was more encouraging. Can't rule out.

Form: 4-44402

(13)

Dreamloper²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: E Walker| OR: 108| D

8/1

Quickly back on track after disappointing effort at Royal Ascot when landing Group 3 there. That wasn't a strong race by Group 3 standards, though, and only fourth in Newbury Group 2 since.

Form: 1-42014

(10)

Epona Plays⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 110| D

16/1

Smart filly. Career best when winning 6-runner Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh in May. Not disgraced when fifth in Pretty Polly there following month and this trip probably more suitable.

Form: 317-115

(7)

Pearls Galore¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Declan McDonogh| T: P Twomey| OR: 107| D

7/1

Smart filly who is a model of consistency and arrives on the back of 2 Group 3 wins at Fairyhouse and Tipperary. Big shout.

Form: 125-311

(4)

Acanella^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 106| CD

10/1

Lightly-raced winner who took form to another level when winning 9f Group 3 at the Curragh 2 weeks ago. Bit to find at this level but she's going the right way.

Form: 182961

(12)

Belle Image³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 105

50/1

Improved when fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas and more than backed that up when 1½ lengths fifth of 14 to Mother Earth in Prix Rothschild at Deauville (8f, good to soft) 39 days ago. Frame claims.

Form: 0-52475

(9)

Empress Josephine⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| D

33/1

Tremendously well-bred filly who surged home to get up late in the Irish 1000 Guineas, beating Joan of Arc. Disappointed both starts since, however, and bounce back needed.

Form: 102186

(11)

Flirting Bridge¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 99| D

125/1

Useful filly but out of her depth here.

Form: 1-82709

(6)

Friendly¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92| D

150/1

Useful filly but not up to this.

Form: 818580

(2)

Mother Earth³⁹

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

6/5

Enjoying a fine year, winning the 1000 Guineas then gaining deserved success after three runner-up finishes in Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Genuine sort who should take the beating again.

Form: 2-12321

(3)

No Speak Alexander³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 105

25/1

Group 3 winner at the Curragh on return before length third to Empress Josephine in Irish 1000 Guineas. Only tenth of 14 to Mother Earth in Prix Rothschild at Deauville next time, however.

Form: 424-130

(8)

Pretty Gorgeous¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF| D

9/1

Smart performer at 2 yrs, winning Fillies' Mile at Newmarket final start. However, hasn't progressed this season so bit to prove in a race like this.

Form: 21-7578

(5)

Shale^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 105| BF| C| D

16/1

Group 1 winner a juvenile but has failed to kick on this season, 2 lengths fourth of 13 to Acanella in Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at the Curragh (9f, good) 15 days ago. Headgear reached for.

Form: 16-5064

Forecasts

Mother Earth (6/5), Pearls Galore (7/1), Dreamloper (8/1), Champers Elysees (9/1), Pretty Gorgeous (9/1), Acanella (10/1), Epona Plays (16/1), Shale (16/1), No Speak Alexander (25/1), Empress Josephine (33/1), Belle Image (50/1), Flirting Bridge (125/1), Friendly (150/1)

An excellent opportunity for the highly talented and likeable MOTHER EARTH to win her third Group 1 of the season having already bagged the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Pearls Galore deserves a crack at this level having won the Fairy Bridge Stakes with a bit in hand at Tipperary, while last year's winner Champers Elysees could be coming to the boil.