No Speak Alexander overcomes late drama to land 25-1 shock in rough Matron

A short, sharp burst of emotion was replaced by nervous silence in the Leopardstown winner's enclosure from the connections of No Speak Alexander, but they were given extra reason to celebrate their victory in a dramatic Matron Stakes following a lengthy stewards' inquiry.

Mother Earth, successful in this season's 1,000 Guineas and Prix Rothschild, was sent off 6-5 favourite to post her third top-flight victory of the campaign, but was left with nowhere to go by No Speak Alexander in the closing stages.

There was a painful wait on the inquiry but the stewards found no reason to demote the 25-1 shot, who provided Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley with yet another top-level triumph together.

Anyone who saw No Speak Alexander being treated like a rag doll in the Prix Rothschild will know that her breakthrough top-level triumph was nothing short of what she deserved. On this occasion, she dished out the punishment as Foley fought for every inch of turf available.

Click here to watch a replay of the Matron Stakes

Last year's winner Champers Elysees was also caught up in the traffic on the rail leaving the Paddy Twomey-trained Pearls Galore to push No Speak Alexander closest, but the line came just a neck too soon.

"It was her day in the sun today," Harrington beamed afterwards. "Everything was right and she really came on from the last day. She got no run in France at all – she got knocked over a furlong down.

"We trained her for this day and we rode her the same way as we did in the Guineas – up at the sharp end."

The Matron Stakes represented a win-and-you're-in to the Breeders' Cup, but Harrington insisted that she had not thought beyond Leopardstown for the daughter of Shalaa.

She added: "She's probably got a little bit stronger. She likes a bit of nice ground. This was the plan and we'll enjoy the day."

Shane Foley celebrates his Matron Stakes success on No Speak AlexanderCredit: Patrick McCann

As one corner of the enclosure erupted with joy after the result of the inquiry was called, Twomey took defeat on the chin and said: "I am delighted for the O'Callaghans as they have horses with me so, if I was to be beaten, let it be by them."

Beaten but unbowed as Pearls Galore cemented her status as a top-notch filly in defeat, the magnanimous trainer looked beyond the pain of filling the runner-up spot for the second time on the day after Limiti Di Greccio was second in the Ingabelle Stakes earlier on the card.

Twomey added: "Pearls Galore ran a cracker. She's in the Prix de la Foret and the Breeders' Cup Mile is also an option. That was probably a career best there today."

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday