Slattery rapid improver Solene Lilyette gets the right ground in Group 3

Just about everybody you speak to in Ireland is delighted with the last stretch of summer that August has gifted us with. Everybody bar Andy Slattery, that is.

Slattery's Solene Lilyette, just about the find of the season having been picked up for just €12,000 back in February, took her form to a new level when bagging the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park earlier this month.

Crucially, that win, although on ground officially described as good, came on easier terrain. Slattery is in little doubt he has a progressive filly capable of playing a leading role in the Group 3 Snow Fairy Stakes (5.15) at the Curragh on Friday, as long as the ground does not come up quick.

Slattery said: "She’s in great form but she has to step up again. Good ground is fine but I wouldn’t want it firm. It’s drying out fairly rapidly.”

He added: “Andrew [Slattery, rider] thought she won snuggly at Gowran Park and that she’d plenty left in the tank at the line. She will need every bit of it to win at this level but we think she’s improving.”

The field is headed by Champers Elysees, yet to fire this season and bidding to put a luckless effort in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes behind her.

Champers Elysees rode the crest of a wave last term, her rapid progression culminating with victory in the Matron Stakes, and the Johnny Murtagh-trained filly stands out on ratings.

Johnny Murtagh with Champers Elysees after the 2020 MatronCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Murtagh said: "Champers Elysees is in good form. She got smashed in the Falmouth so we have freshened her up since and she seems to be in good form. We’re trying her over 1m1f and this should point us in the right direction for the rest of the season.”

Jessica Harrington has a number of strong chances on the card, including Oodnadatta in the Snow Fairy, with the trainer confident of a bold showing from her filly provided she breaks cleanly from the stalls.

She said: “Oodnadatta has a massive chance. This is her trip and, if Shane doesn't fall off her leaving the stalls, she should run well.”

Harrington also runs Cowboy Justice in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes (5.45), the colt reverting to 6f after winning his maiden impressively over 7f at the Curragh last time.

Harrington said: “Cowboy Justice should be suited by coming back a furlong and he seems to be in very good form.”

Murtagh is represented by Ladies Church, one of five fillies taking on the colts in what looks an interesting contest.

He said: "It looks a nice race for Ladies Church. We wanted to step her up to 6f and, while it’s a tough race, we want to see how good she is.”

The remaining Group 3 on the card is the Manguard Plus Irish EBF Flame of Tara Stakes (4.45) where Joseph O'Brien's Albula could be hard to beat if building on her impressive Naas debut win.

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