Fallen Angel, January and Cercene meet in a high-quality Matron Stakes

Backers of January have endured a frustrating season as she's been placed on her last three runs in Group 1 company, with her defeats at Newmarket and Deauville particularly agonising as she looked the winner at the two-furlong pole on both occasions.

After being well held on her reappearance in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, she stepped forward to finish third in the Coronation, beaten a length and a half by the reopposing Cercene, before finishing half a length behind Cinderella's Dream in the Falmouth and a head second to Fallen Angel in the Prix Rothschild.

She has taken a step forward with each start and there's little shame in going down fighting to a resurgent Fallen Angel, but she is developing a tendency to not deliver as much in a finish as anticipated.

Fallen Angel has a history of productive trips to Ireland, landing two Group 1s and finishing second to Porta Fortuna in this race last year. She bounced back to something close to her best at Deauville last time, with the return to less quick ground eliciting a big improvement on her Ascot and Newbury efforts, and she'll be a tough nut to crack.

January and Fallen Angel are closely matched with Cercene, who relished the quick ground at Ascot to land the Coronation Stakes. She was definitely hindered by the very testing conditions at Goodwood last time, albeit she still ran a big race to finish second to Whirl, but the forecast soft ground could see her operating a bit below her best. However, she showed at Goodwood she's capable of running to a high level regardless.

Vera's Secret, trained by John Feane, has been hugely progressive and her 3-3 course record, including a cosy victory over 7f in Group 3 company last time, is noteworthy. She came up short behind Porta Fortuna at Group 2 level in May but she takes a bit of catching around this venue.

Cathedral doesn't have a mountain to climb with Cercene and January based on her fourth in the Coronation, albeit she couldn't make the most of a good opportunity in the Prix Chloe when beaten as an odds-on favourite last time.

Murphy hoping ground dries out for Cercene

Cercene provided Joe Murphy with a memorable win in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and connections are hoping there's another big day in her this season as she lines up for her latest Group 1 assignment.

The daughter of Australia has been running at the top level all season, shaping excellently when a staying-on third behind Lake Victoria in the Irish 1,000 Guineas before showing a tremendous attitude to repel Zarigana in the Coronation, springing a 33-1 shock in the process.

Joe Murphy with his Coronation Stakes winner Cercene

Joe Murphy with his stable star CerceneCredit: Patrick McCann

She had the reopposing January, Cathedral and Exactly in behind that day and put up another big effort in the Nassau when finishing five lengths adrift of Whirl in second. That was her first effort over a mile and a quarter on ground far too testing for her to be operating at her best and Murphy is hoping the rain relents as much as possible before the Matron.

"We think we have her in good form," he said. "It was a good run at Goodwood and we were very happy. To be at her best, she wants similar ground to what she got at Ascot [good to firm] as she's a filly with a turn of foot, so we're hoping no more rain comes."

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Fallen Angel
She looks in great form, if anything I'd say she's had a better prep than going in to France. The ground is going to be perfect for her and there should be a nice pace to aim at so I'm very excited about her.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Sparks Fly
It's her first tilt at a Group 1. The ground has gone soft at Leopardstown, and the more rain the better for her. We've been waiting a long time for the ground to come in her favour this year.

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Atsila
The trip and track will suit her very well and hopefully the ground isn’t too bad for her. We're drawn a little bit wide [stall 11], but we're hopeful of a good run.

Cathedral (left): has her first start for Kevin Philippart de FoyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Cathedral
Her form from Ascot when finishing fourth in the Coronation is very solid. She's in very good shape. She'll need a career best to be competitive, but she's in the right place and it's the right time to take a chance.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of January and Exactly
January doesn't always find what you might expect off the bridle, but she's been knocking on the door and has been in very good form since France. She's a talented filly. Seven furlongs was probably a bit sharp for Exactly at York and she will appreciate going back up to a mile.

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