The key questions as star filly Skitter Scatter returns in Fairy Bridge Stakes

5.55 Tipperary
Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes (Group 3) | 7½f | 3yo+ fillies & mares | RTV

Will Skitter Scatter be able to make up for lost time?

A hamstring tear suffered in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May has kept Skitter Scatter off the track for 116 days but there are big races still to be won in the autumn and the process of making up for lost time begins at Tipperary on Thursday before a possible tilt at the Coolmore-backed Matron Stakes next month.

It is interesting to consider what might have been had Skitter Scatter not been injured at Newmarket. Hermosa and Lady Kaya, who finished first and second in the Guineas, had filled the placings behind her in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last September.

Skitter Scatter beat them both convincingly there and also had the pair well beaten when winning the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh the previous month.

She switched stables from Patrick Prendergast to John Oxx after her superb juvenile campaign and, while the Classic dream may have turned into a nightmare, connections still have Group 1 aspirations as she is entered in the Matron on September 14.

Oxx said: "It's nice to get her back to the track and we are looking forward to it. She has had a long holiday and will come on for the run, but she's fit and well and ready to return. The ground seems to be drying out at Tipperary, which will suit her.

"She had a muscle tear in her hamstring and she spent several weeks walking. The last month has gone very well and she has progressed very quickly. She has an entry in the Matron Stakes so that would be the target for her but we will get this out of the way first and see how she gets on."

Surrounding: bids to make it three wins in a row in the Group 3 contestCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Can Surrounding continue her winning streak?

Surrounding has won four of her last eight starts, including her last two, but faces a tough task giving weight to all her rivals and is officially rated 8lb inferior to Skitter Scatter.

She has to give 8lb to Skitter Scatter on this occasion and victory for the Michael Halford-trained six-year-old would rate as a career-best performance.

"She is in tremendous form and working really well," said Halford. "Her confidence is sky high and we are very happy with her. Skitter Scatter sets the standard though and, on ratings alone, she will be hard to beat if back to anywhere near her best."

Dan's Dream: will be bidding to go one better than last year at TipperaryCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Will last year's runner-up go one better?

Dan's Dream was collared close home by One Master in this race 12 months ago and Mick Channon's ultra-consistent filly returns to try to go one better.

The four-year-old daughter of Cityscape has finished second on three of her last four starts and her trainer thinks everything is in her favour.

Channon said: "She's been a bit unlucky this year. She seems in great form, the ground should be right and she's got a good draw, so we're very hopeful."

What the other trainers say

Michael Appleby, trainer of Hells Babe
She won well last time at Catterick, but this looks a tougher race. We hope the ground doesn't dry out too much, the softer the better for her. She's in good form and hopefully she'll run well.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Titanium Sky
She is a consistent filly and a joy to train. This is a tough assignment for her but she already secured some black type and hopefully her consistency will continue.

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