4.25 Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (Group 1) 1m

Duckadilly: Lightly-raced four-year-old ran with plenty of credit when second in the Listed Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes at Killarney three weeks ago. This is a much tougher assignment, however.

Fallen Angel: Group 1 winner at two, three and four. Bumped into a fine standard-setter in Porta Fortuna when second in this race last year, and that was her first start after missing essentially the entire summer (111-day absence). Instead, comes here a year stronger (though hard to say her form is any better) and won the Group 1 Prix Rothschild just under six weeks ago (today’s rival, January, a head away in second). A reproduction of her run here 12 months ago will make her tough to beat, though others might be on more of an upward curve.

Queen Of Thunder: Only win was in a Killarney maiden earlier this season and hadn’t made a telling impact in higher grades, but certainly encouraging that she comes here after a career-best effort when only beaten a short-head in second in the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary. Rating of 101 means being placed would be a big result.

Sparks Fly: Tremendous stalwart for connections who has won 11 times, though never at a higher level than her four listed victories. Ran a fine race despite troubled passage when last seen finishing third in Epsom Group 3 in June. Still, this is a much tougher assignment.

Vera’s Secret: Was rated only 68 in late July last year, so has shown remarkable improvement to now be a dual Group 3 winner at this venue in 2025, as well as winning at this meeting in handicap company 12 months ago. Battle-hardened six-year-old is in the form of her life, but her best showings have been over seven furlongs (albeit she won over a mile on this card last year) and she mightn’t get to boss things from the front like she enjoys.

Atsila: Had Cercene and California Dreamer behind when winning the Group 3 Athasi Stakes at the Curragh in May, and has been mid-division in the Irish 1000 Guineas, Falmouth Stakes and Prix Rothschild since. Lightly enough raced and a three-year-old, so may yet have a little more to come, though will need to run the race of her life to strike for last year’s winning team.

California Dreamer: Battle-hardened two-year-old pulled off an excellent result to finish second in the Irish 1000 Guineas when given a superb front-running ride, and hasn’t managed to make her presence felt in three subsequent starts. The fact that Amo Racing’s retained rider isn’t with her can’t be viewed as a sign of confidence in her chances.

Cathedral: Perhaps disappointing that she couldn’t deliver the goods as 3/5 favourite in a Chantilly Group 3 last time, having previously finished an excellent fourth in the Coronation Stakes behind Cercene and January. After five runs, she now switches from Ralph Beckett to Amo’s main trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy and has the assistance of retained rider David Egan. British three-year-old could outrun her odds and threaten to sneak into the frame.

Cercene: Not an overly big filly, but has sizeable talent and a willing attitude to match. Started this season with a rating of 87 and improved out of sight when raised in class, finishing a four-length third in the Irish 1000 Guineas behind Lake Victoria and a well-ridden California Dreamer. Proved that was no fluke when causing 33/1 upset in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, with today’s rival, January, back in third. That win came on good to firm, so it was an admirable showing when she finished second to ready winner Whirl on heavy in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood when last seen. Winner let down the form in France last weekend but the third, though See The Fire, was only a length and a quarter off Delacroix in the Juddmonte International next time out. Return to less extreme ground and a mile should suit.

Exactly: Fourth in the French 1000 Guineas, third in last year’s Moyglare Stakes and Prix Marcel Boussac. Had a slightly messy time of things when beaten three lengths, finishing sixth, in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes against her elders and the boys last time. Her two wins have come at seven furlongs, so needs to prove she’s at her best over this longer trip at the top level.

January: Three-year-old on the up, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who recently described her as “a big, classy filly”, though also noted: “She’s a good traveller but doesn’t always find what she looks like she’s going to”. That observation can be seen in her form as well, winless in her last six starts, but finishing second in the Fillies’ Mile, Falmouth Stakes and Prix Rothschild, while also only being a length and a half off Cercene when third in the Coronation Stakes. Joint highest-rated here with a mark of 115 so entitled to maximum respect. However, her failure to win lately raises a little question.

Conclusion

Fallen Angel and January set a solid enough standard, though marginal preference is for Joe Murphy’s stable star Cercene, who has been improving throughout the campaign, appears relatively versatile in terms of ground and should be ideally suited by the stamina demands of a mile around here. She had a busy start to the season but comes here off a nice six-week break and only has 2lb to find on official ratings.