'She's in great form' - Dermot Weld gives Homeless Songs go-ahead for Matron

The wait is almost over. Three and a half months have passed since Homeless Songs lit up a May afternoon at the Curragh with a scintillating turn of foot in the Irish 1,000 Guineas - but Ireland's highest-rated three-year-old will return from an 111-day absence in the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday according to Dermot Weld.

The daughter of Frankel was handed a rating of 120 after beating subsequent Oaks heroine Tuesday by five and a half lengths but she missed an intended engagement at Royal Ascot in the Coronation Stakes due to quick ground.

Weld resisted the temptation of running her on fast ground throughout the summer and the rain has arrived at Leopardstown in the nick of time. The going is good to yielding, yielding in places with more patchy showers forecast throughout the week.

The trainer said on Tuesday: "It's all systems go for Homeless Songs and the plan is to run at Leopardstown on Saturday. She's in great form.

"I think being patient was the correct approach for her and long term I certainly think it will prove to be. She seems to be in great form at home and I'm looking forward to the race. The rain was very welcome this week."

Homeless Songs is 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power to win her second Group 1 with impressive Prix Rothschild winner Saffron Beach available at 2-1. The 13 who remain in the race at the five-day forfeit stage also include Prix Jean Prat winner Tenebrism and Pearls Galore, winner of the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes in May.

When asked what he thought of the race, Weld replied: "It's a very, very good Group 1, an excellent race."

Tahiyra: the Galway maiden winner is set to run on Irish Champions WeekendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Weld will be trying to win the Matron Stakes for a third time following the victories of Dress To Thrill in 2002 and Emulous in 2011.

The legendary trainer could also be represented in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday, but he has yet to commit Duke De Sessa to the stellar Group 1. He is a 66-1 shot with Paddy Power and also has the option of the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes earlier on the card.

A final decision on where the exciting Tahiyra will run has yet to be made either. The half-sister to Tarnawa make a favourable impression on her racecourse debut at Galway in July when running out a wide-margin winner of what is traditionally a red-hot fillies' maiden. Indeed, the runner-up has franked the form since by winning a Naas maiden.

Tahiyra is entered in the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday as well as the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Weld said: "Tahiyra is entered in both the Leopardstown race and the Moyglare. I'll decide tomorrow which direction she will go. Duke De Sessa will run this weekend but I haven't decided which race he will go for yet either. We have a few decisions to make later in the week, but the horses seem to be in very good form which is the main thing.

"We'll have a small but select team for what is a special weekend."

Matron Stakes (4.55 Leopardstown, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 6-4 Homeless Songs, 2 Saffron Beach, 7 Tenebrism, 14 Pearls Galore, 16 bar

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