Can Master Of Reality complete Her Majesty's Plate hat-trick for Joseph O'Brien?

Friday: 7.30 Down Royal
Her Majesty's Plate (Listed) | 1m6f | 3yo+ | RTV

Master Of Reality has made this race his own in recent years. The seven-year-old stayer won it for the first time in 2020 when justifying 1-2 favouritism and landed a more competitive running last year when making all under Declan McDonogh who is on board again here.

The poser for punters is his current form. He was sixth of seven in the Curragh Cup on his most recent start and there is a suspicion that age might be catching up with him. He is not even the highest-rated runner in the race with Ever Present officially rated 2lb above him.

Jessica Harrington has made no secret of the fact that next month's Sky Bet Ebor is Ever Present's ultimate aim this season so the big question is how fit he will be for this after a 314-day absence.

The six-year-old has only had four starts on the Flat, winning three of them, so there could be more to come from the unexposed son of Elusive Pimpernel but the big break is a worry.

Licence is interesting up in trip. Things may have been happening a bit quick for him at the end of the Mooresbridge over 1m2f but his brother Raclette won a Group 2 over 1m4f on her most recent start so the extra emphasis on stamina could play to his strengths.

Manu Et Corde is another to consider and he could be the overpriced one. He would have been second when topweight in the Ulster Derby over course and distance but for being hampered late and a slow start didn't help in the Curragh Cup six days later. He looks a player at a potentially double-figure price and might prove the value option.

The one we know least about is the Churchill filly, Perotan. She won a Bellewstown maiden on her debut, despite being keen and running green. She could be anything.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Dances With Stars and Master Of Reality
Master Of Reality has obviously won this race for the last couple of years. The course and the conditions suit him well so we're hoping for another good run from him. Hopefully he can find the best of his form. Dances With Stars steps up in class in the hope of finding some black type.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Ever Present
This will be his first start back this season, and he'll then head on to York for the Ebor. He improved nicely throughout last year.

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Moon Daisy
She's ran a personal best last time and seems to be improving. She likes nice ground and going this distance. It's a good race and we'd be delighted if she finished in the first three.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Perotan
She's only a baby, having had just the one run. She won nicely at Bellewstown where Seamus [Heffernan] was very happy with her. This is a step up to Listed class so we'll see how she gets on.

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.