3.40 MOYGLARE STUD STAKES (GROUP 1) 7F
Active Approach: Twice-raced maiden who has shown potential. Caught the eye with a strong-finishing third behind Easter Lily at Leopardstown in July and filled the same position behind Magical in a quality maiden at Cork last month. Remains promising.
Alpha Centauri: Created a huge impression in two outings earlier this season with commanding victories over Actress in 6f events at Naas. Lost her unbeaten record but still posted an excellent effort when going down by a neck to Different League in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. Could easily do better still after a mid season break with the step up to 7f of no concern.
Ballet Shoes: Progressed well from her debut to win a 1m maiden in fine style here in late July and followed up with an impressive success in a listed race at Tipperary. A recent 5l defeat in a Group 3 at this track was a little surprising.
Chiara Luna: She looked the part on her debut when running out a ¾l winner of a 6f Leopardstown maiden last month. She will relish this longer trip, but slow ground would be a concern.
Clemmie: Sister to Churchill, met with defeat on her first two starts, but has since looked one of the best juvenile fillies around, dominating a 6f Group 3 at this track before landing a Newmarket Group 2 two months ago. The step up to this trip shouldn’t be a problem but it would be a concern if the ground does soften significantly over the weekend. She lines up as a leading contender.
Gasta: Began her career in fine style when defeating Clemmie in a 6f maiden on soft ground here in May. Hasn’t been able to build on that in several subsequent starts and two defeats at Group 3 level leave her short of the required standard.
Happily: Quickly developed into a high-class filly by winning here on Derby weekend before following up in fine style in the Silver Flash Stakes. Couldn’t quite get to grips with stablemate Magical here in last month’s Debutante Stakes but still ran well in defeat and lines up as a lively candidate.
Magical: Exciting filly who had to work harder than expected to win her maiden at Cork last month but followed up with a towering display from the front in the Debutante Stakes where the form of the Cork race was advertised with the runner-up that day securing third. Under similar conditions to the Debutante she is the one to beat.
Muirin: Upstaged some well fancied rivals to win a conditions event over this course and distance last month. This represents a huge rise in class but the second and third from that race here last month have both won since and this filly looks one of substantial potential.
September: Looked a cracking prospect when bolting up at Leopardstown on her debut and then landing a quality edition of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. She was perhaps a little disappointing when losing her unbeaten record in the Debutante Stakes where she had to settle for fourth but she could easily progress from that.
the verdict
An incredibly strong Aidan O’Brien challenge makes this a vintage renewal and Magical gets the vote following her all the way success in last month’s Debutante Stakes. Clemmie also holds leading claims as she tackles this trip for the first time while Alpha Centauri, who looked so good earlier in the season, commands maximum respect on her return from a break.