16:55 Leopardstown

Saturday 10 September 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

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

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 1m 44.36s

(3)

Lights On⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: C Soumillon| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 106| D

17/2

Progressive as a 4-y-o, winning 4 times including Pontefract listed race (1m, soft) last July. Proved better than ever when landing Sandown Group 2 on return in April but struggled up at this level in Queen Anne thereafter and likely she'll find a few too good again.

Form: 8127-16

(7)

Pearls Galore^p1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 108| CD

16/1

Smart mare who finished runner-up in this 12 months ago. and excellent start to this campaign with C&D listed victory/Curragh Group 2 in the spring. Respectable fifth behind Saffron Beach in Prix Rothschild 39 days ago and she's expected to be in the mix in first-time headgear.

Form: 26-1125

(8)

Saffron Beach³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 116| D

2/1

Very smart filly who signed off 3-y-o campaign with success in Sun Chariot at Newmarket in October and as good as ever in making it 2 wins from 3 starts this term, latterly taking the Prix Rothschild. Sound claims once more under Hollie Doyle.

Form: 011-411

(11)

Affogato⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 101| D

66/1

Promise only start as a 2-y-o for Conor O'Dwyer and stepped up plenty for new yard, landing maiden/minor events at up to 1m earlier this term. Probably best not judged too harshly on Fairyhouse effort in July but she needs to find plenty if she's to figure here.

Form: 5-116

(6)

Concert Hall⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

33/1

Narrow winner of listed race at Navan on return and has acquitted herself well to hit the frame at the highest level since, fourth in Belmont Oaks in July. Busy spell may have found her out at Goodwood later that month and better showing anticipated here.

Form: 134448

(2)

Homeless Songs¹¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 120| C| D

5/4

Looked a work-in-progress last term but much more the finished article this time around, winning 1000 Guineas Trial in April and most impressive when following up in Irish 1000 Guineas itself in May. Absent since but a repeat marks her down as the one to beat.

Form: 156-11

(5)

Honey Girl¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 104| BF

125/1

Useful filly who seemed to excel herself when sixth in Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but beaten at short odds in an AW maiden next time and only midfield behind Agartha in Tipperary Group 3 2 weeks ago.

Form: 2-23626

(10)

Star Girls Aalmal⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 107| BF

33/1

Useful filly who finished fourth in Irish 1000 Guineas prior to a good fourth in Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Found less than looked likely when fifth in Fairyhouse Group 3 in July but given a break since and better showing not ruled out.

Form: 61-1445

(1)

Tenebrism³⁹

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

15/2

Caravaggio filly who ended 2-y-o campaign unbeaten, posting a remarkable display to land Cheveley Park 12 months ago. Not at best in English 1000 Guineas on return but back on track since, taking Prix Jean Prat prior to just holding on for second in Prix Rothschild latest. Each-way claims.

Form: 11-8412

Non-Runners

(4)

Agartha¹⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: J P O'Brien J: Declan McDonogh

(9)

Panama Red²³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: G M Lyons J: Gary Carroll

Forecasts

Homeless Songs (5/4), Saffron Beach (2/1), Tenebrism (15/2), Lights On (17/2), Pearls Galore (16/1), Agartha (25/1), Star Girls Aalmal (33/1), Concert Hall (33/1), Panama Red (50/1), Affogato (66/1), Honey Girl (125/1)

HOMELESS SONGS looked a work-in-progress as a 2-y-o and has taken sizeable strides forward in making it 2-2 this campaign, most impressive when landing the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May. She remains the type to do better still despite a subsequent absence and gets the nod to come out on top. Prix Rothschild heroine Saffron Beach rates the danger, ahead of Pearls Galore and Tenebrism.