2.50 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) 7f

Alpha: Shot to prominence in next year’s 1000 Guineas betting when posting a huge maiden-winning performance at the Curragh in June, beating Ibelieveicanfly (won readily next time out), Livenka (beat Star Of State next time before winning the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes) and Samnina (won next time out at Galway Festival). Not as convincing when winning by a head in the Silver Flash a month later, and was turned over as 4/6 favourite by Green Empress and Dancing Destiny in the Debutante since (beaten three quarters of a length). One of three in here for Ballydoyle and her trainer has stressed that she’s been trained to peak for this race, but obviously not a vote of confidence that Ryan Moore prefers Sun Goddess.

Ballinea Star: Last-time-out Group 3 winner could be a slightly forgotten filly in this, having been absent since beating the boys over six and a half furlongs at the Curragh in June. New trip today and it’s possible she’ll be even better over it. Comes here a fresh filly and should out-run her current big price for shrewd connections.

Controlla: Stablemate of Ballinea Star has been spoken highly of by her trainer, and was a massive eye-catcher when second to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Victorious on her debut at Naas in a Group 3. Night Of Thunder filly possibly not quite precocious enough for the Windsor Castle when down the field and took a backwards step when last seen finishing well beaten by Sun Goddess. Given time to progress, which should be a positive, but really back in at the deep end here and hard to be bullish about her.

Dancing Destiny: Improving with every start and took her form to new levels with back-to-back close seconds in the Silver Flash and Debutante. Listed winner is bound to stay strongly at this trip and has loads of experience, though others likely have more attractive profiles.

Green Empress: Improved from five-length debut defeat to Sun Goddess in a maiden here to get the margin down to three quarters of a length when runner-up behind the same rival in a six-furlong Group 2 here in June. Showed a touch of class late on to capture the Group 2 Debutante last time, beating three of these rivals. Proven stamina at this trip sure to be an asset for this rematch with Sun Goddess.

Ibelieveicanfly: Hard to know if she’ll line up given she’s due to run in the opener at Leopardstown on Saturday. Frankel filly has plenty of talent, but a career-best is needed to turn around the Debutante form with Green Empress, Dancing Destiny and Alpha.

Sun Goddess: Four wins from six starts, including Group 1 and Group 2 victories over six furlongs at this venue. Made no mistake when dropped in class for a valuable payday last time in a sales race at York since, overcoming traffic problems.

Powerful-looking two-year-old sets a high standard as a top-level winner with a rating of 114 (9lb clear of her nearest rival). Ticks almost every box, with the exception of stamina at this seven-furlong trip for the first time. She’s also been quite busy; now making her seventh start in four months.

Conclusion

Ryan Moore’s confidence behind Sun Goddess is difficult to get away from, albeit maybe it would have been very challenging for him to ride anything else in the race, given the big gulf in ratings between the Sioux Nation filly and everything else.

Green Empress probably isn’t getting enough respect in the market, however, and is closely matched with the favourite on their Airlie Stud Stakes clash. There is every indication that Joseph O’Brien’s challenger has gone the right way since and she could well turn the tables at this longer trip. Expect Ballinea Star to exceed the expectations of many, as a hard-knocking type with freshness on her side.