ONLY two Irish-based trainers have won the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes (3.15) since 1980, but the fact one of them is Aidan O’Brien will come as some reassurance to supporters of Meditate in today’s feature event at Newmarket.

Dermot Weld, the only other Irish-based trainer to plunder the Virgin Bet-sponsored prize in that period with Dress To Thrill (2002), was out of luck with leading fancy Homeless Songs here 12 months ago and Meditate heads to the Sun Chariot with a slightly similar preparation to that talented filly.

Both had finished fourth in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes on their final start before this contest, having returned from mid-season breaks prior to the Irish Champions Festival.

There was some encouragement to be taken from Meditate’s staying-on effort behind superstar Tahiyra four weeks ago, despite being unable to land a telling blow from off the pace.

The No Nay Never filly also saved her best performance at two for this time of year when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland.

Physical progression

O’Brien, who is seeking a fourth Sun Chariot success after wins for Halfway To Heaven (2008), Alice Springs (2016) and Roly Poly (2017), told The Irish Field: “We were very happy with Meditate’s run at Leopardstown last time.

“We thought heading to the Irish Champions Festival that she had done well physically between her races and she ran a nice race. We’re looking forward to seeing her again this weekend at Newmarket.”

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Goldana, a winner of the Group 3 Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes on her stable debut at the Curragh in April, also flies the flag for Ireland in this mile contest. However, the standard is clearly set by John and Thady Gosden’s warm favourite Inspiral, who plundered the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois on her last start.