Donnacha O'Brien eyeing Coronation Stakes or Diane for star filly Shale

Shale, the joint highest-rated juvenile filly in Europe last season, could join a top-class cast of fillies in next month's Coronation Stakes or bid for Classic glory in the Prix de Diane, according to trainer Donnacha O'Brien.

The 2020 Moyglare Stakes heroine was a general 11-2 chance for Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh but missed the contest, which was run on going described as heavy.

"We didn't want to run her on very bad ground," said O'Brien. "It's going to be a long season so we didn't want to bottom her. She's fine, though, and I'd imagine it'll be either the Prix de Diane or the Coronation Stakes for her."

Donnacha O'Brien: has yet to have a runner at Royal AscotCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 22-year-old O'Brien has yet to have a runner at Royal Ascot but plundered the French Oaks last year with stable star Fancy Blue, who was retired due to a tendon injury last October.

O'Brien's brother, Joseph, has suggested that Pretty Gorgeous – fifth in Sunday's Classic at the Curragh – is also in line for the Coronation Stakes.

The trainer is looking forward to saddling Southern Lights in the Cazoo Derby. The promising Leopardstown maiden winner is set to be the Owning Hill handler's only runner in the race he won twice as a rider aboard Camelot and Australia.

The son of brilliant Derby scorer Sea The Stars was denied a clear run when staying on behind Bolshoi Ballet in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and is a top-priced 66-1 with Bet365.

Southern Lights: could represent Joseph O'Brien in the Cazoo DerbyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We intend to run Southern Lights," said O'Brien. "He was unlucky not to be second at Leopardstown behind Bolshoi Ballet. He'll be an outsider but if you're not in, you can't win."

Asked whether the multiple Classic-winning jockey would rather ride Bolshoi Ballet or High Definition – both trained by his father Aidan – at Epsom, O'Brien said: "I suppose Bolshoi Ballet has been hugely impressive, particularly last time at Leopardstown. It'd be hard to get off him."

In-form trainer Paddy Twomey is eager to see how his Irish 1,000 Guineas fifth Fantasy Lady fares when tackling longer distances after the 25-1 shot was beaten just a length and three-quarters by Empress Josephine.

"We thought she'd run much better than at Leopardstown and she did run well," he said. "We'll step her up in trip to a mile and a quarter now."

Fellow Tipperary-based trainer Denis Hogan was also encouraged by star sprinter Make A Challenge's return to form in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes on Saturday, when he was just outpointed by Gustavus Weston after trading as low as 1.6 in-running.

"Soft ground makes a big difference to him, he just loves it," said Hogan. "I'm not sure whether he's better over five or six furlongs. He can probably travel more comfortably over six compared to five in those very big races. Either way, he needs soft ground to be at his best and his form backs that up.

"He has an entry in the King's Stand but he might come out at the forfeit stage. There's a six-furlong Listed race at the Curragh on Irish Derby day [Belgrave Stakes] and that could be a possibility, given he loves the track. He has plenty of options and later in the year, we can look at the Flying Five on Irish Champions Weekend."

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