3.40 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) 7f

A Ma Chere: Made a bright start to her career with a winning debut in a six-furlong maiden at this track in June and stepped forward from that to run a pleasing third in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes. However, that last run leaves her with plenty to find against the likes of Shale and Pretty Gorgeous.

Aunty Bridy: Began her career with a victory in a maiden over this course and distance on Irish Derby weekend when she posted a very likeable effort, but this represents an altogether different challenge and substantial improvement is required.

Bubbles On Ice: Smart and versatile filly who was able to win over an extended mile at Killarney before coming back to six furlongs to run a very respectable sixth in the Phoenix Stakes last time. This longer trip will help but she will have to progress again to play a part in the finish.

Divinely: Met with defeat on her first three runs but a change in tactics showed her in a much better light when she won the Group 3 Flame Of Tara Stakes over a mile here late last month. The drop back in trip shouldn’t be an issue and the manner of her performance last time would suggest that she can get competitive.

Elanora: Didn’t run at all badly as a 100/1 chance on her debut last month when finishing seventh to St Mark’s Basilica in a six-furlong maiden at this track. That initial run and this longer trip will bring about plenty of improvement but she is still facing an uphill task.

Mother Earth: Built on some early season promise to win a Group 3 at Naas a couple of months ago. Comes here off a creditable third in the Debutante last time but that leaves her with plenty to find against Pretty Gorgeous and she may have to settle for a minor role once again.

Oodnadatta: Impressed in winning a hot Leopardstown maiden on her debut in June. Could never get into the race in the Silver Flash last time but those that raced off the pace that day were at a distinct disadvantage and she is capable of better.

Pretty Gorgeous: A winning debut at Bellewstown marked her out as a filly with Group 1 potential and, although she met with defeat against Shale in the Silver Flash next time, she confirmed herself to be one of the most promising two-year-olds around when reversing form with that filly in the Debutante next time. That makes her the one to beat.

Shale: Progressive filly who has stepped forward with every run and her Silver Flash Stakes victory coupled with her second in the Debutante mark her out as one of the leading contenders. Another strong showing is expected.

Snowfall: Shapes like she could be quite a decent filly but her runs in the Silver Flash and the Debutante, while respectable, appear to leave her well short of what will be required to lift this prize.

Star Image: Showed promise in maidens before getting off the mark in a seven-furlong nursery on heavy ground at this track a couple of weeks ago. Can do better again, especially on better ground, but this 78-rated filly looks to have her work cut out.

Teresa Mendoza: Looked a potentially high-class sort when defeating the smart Monaasib in a six-furlong maiden here in July before being beaten half a length by New Treasure in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes here last month.

The step up to seven furlongs should help her and that last run is likely to have taught her plenty, while the ground won’t be as testing as what she faced then, all of which makes her a lively contender.

Thunder Beauty: Created an excellent first impression with her victory in a useful-looking six-furlong fillies’ maiden at this track in late July. That run marked her out as a filly with group-race potential and she should be quite happy moving up to this trip. Her relative inexperience is a concern, but she is a filly of considerable potential.

Verdict

An intriguing and competitive edition of this race and a chance is taken on Teresa Mendoza. Even though she was beaten in the Round Tower last time she still ran a nice race and she is tipped in the belief that she will step forward significantly now.