16:25 Leopardstown

Saturday 13 September 2025

All14:1514:5015:2015:5016:2516:5517:3018:0518:40

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

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 38.93s

(3)

Duckadilly²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Coen| T: Daniel McLoughlin| OR: 98| D

80/1

Winner of maiden and minor event first 2 starts. Lost unbeaten record in Group 3 here (7f) in July, but back on track when 2¾ lengths second of 9 to Thalara in listed race at Killarney (8.1f, good, 5/1) 22 days ago. However, she has plenty to find upped in class.

Form: 1-142

(2)

Fallen Angel^p⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: K R Burke| OR: 115| D

9/4

Irish 1000 Guineas winner who returned to best when landing the 13-runner Prix Rothschild at Deauville (8f, good, 10/1) 41 days ago, proving game to deny the reopposing January by a head. Runner-up in this race last year and can make a bold bid to go one better.

Form: 124-631

(6)

Queen Of Thunder¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 101| D

40/1

Maiden winner at Killarney in May and bounced back from a below-par effort when short-head second of 10 to Princess Child in Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary (7.5f, good to soft, 8/1) 13 days ago. Has work to do in this company, though.

Form: 7-16672

(9)

Sparks Fly⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Laura Pearson| T: D Loughnane| OR: 109| D

25/1

Goes well on soft ground, winning listed races on final 3 starts last year. Stepped forward from return when 5¼ lengths third of 11 to Spiritual in Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft, 11/1) in June, despite meeting trouble. More needed in this contest.

Form: 7111-83

(10)

Vera's Secret⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J Feane| OR: 106| CD

11/1

Dual Group 3 winner here this season, better than ever when making all in 8-runner Brownstown Stakes (7f, good to firm, 11/8) 65 days ago by neck from Dance Night Andday. Will be more difficult to repeat the same tactics in this company, though she's now 3 from 3 at this track.

Form: 015-141

(11)

Atsila^t1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 106| D

25/1

Made it 2 from 2 when landing Group 3 at the Curragh in May. However, has found it tougher at Group 1 level since, 3¼ lengths eighth of 13 to Fallen Angel in Prix Rothschild at Deauville (8f, good, 51/1) 41 days ago. Tongue strap now reached for.

Form: 11768

(8)

California Dreamer²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: A Murray| OR: 106| D

50/1

Off the mark at Dundalk on return and took her form up a notch when second in Irish 1000 Guineas, albeit having run of the race. Below that level since, 5¾ lengths tenth of 12 to Sky Majesty in Ballyogan Stakes at Naas (5.9f, good to soft, 12/1) 20 days ago.

Form: 042070

(5)

Cathedral⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Egan| T: K P De Foy| OR: 107| BF

16/1

With reappearance behind her, best effort when fourth of 11 in Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, before caught further back than ideal when second in Group 3 at Chantilly (9f, good to soft, 6/10) in July. Remains unexposed at this trip on first start since leaving Ralph Beckett.

Form: 12-442

(4)

Cercene⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 113| D

5/1

Took a big step forward when landing Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, with January in third, before respectable 5 lengths second of 5 to Whirl in Nassau Stakes at Goodwood (9.9f, good to soft, 11/1) 44 days ago. Enters calculations, though both wins have come on quicker ground.

Form: 7-32312

(1)

Exactly²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Browne McMonagle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| C

10/3

Group 3 winner on final start last year and made the frame in French 1000 Guineas in May. Hasn't quite kicked on since, though ran creditably when 2¾ lengths sixth of 10 to Never So Brave in City of York Stakes (7f, good to firm, 9/1) 3 weeks ago. Needs to get back on the up.

Form: 1-24656

(7)

January^p1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Soumillon| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 115| BF

10/3

Without a win this season but has shown improved form when placing at the highest level last 3 starts, finishing first home in her group when head second of 13 to Fallen Angel in Prix Rothschild at Deauville (8f, good, 16/10) 41 days ago. Respected with cheekpieces added.

Form: 22-8322

Forecasts

Fallen Angel (9/4), Exactly (10/3), January (10/3), Cercene (5/1), Vera's Secret (11/1), Cathedral (16/1), Atsila (25/1), Sparks Fly (25/1), Queen Of Thunder (40/1), California Dreamer (50/1), Duckadilly (80/1)

FALLEN ANGEL returned to the sort of form she showed when winning last year's Irish 1000 Guineas with a game success in the Prix Rothschild and, with softer ground promising to suit, she is taken to land a fourth Group 1 victory. She can confirm the placings with January from when the pair met in France last time, with Royal Ascot winner Cercene also in the mix.