Evie to bid for Matron repeat

Red Evie has been given the green light to defend her Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes title at Leopardstown next weekend after pleasing in a workout on Saturday morning.

Michael Bell’s four-year-old filly notched the first Group One victory of her career in the race last season when she beat Peeress in a thrilling finish.

She went on to win the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury earlier in the present campaign before disappointing at Ascot and Newmarket.

However. she bounced back to her best to win the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last time, leaving Bell full of hope she can register another Group One win in Ireland.

“She worked very nicely and it’s all systems go for the Matron now,” said Bell.

“She did everything we wanted and hopefully she can go and win it again. It was a bit of a relief to see her get back to winning ways last time.

“But in fairness she was only beaten three lengths in the Queen Anne at Ascot and for some reason she never runs well at Newmarket.

“She only ever seems to do her winning by the smallest of margins, but she won, which is all that matters.

“Last year in the Matron she probably hit the front too soon and she only just managed to hold on.

“Everybody knows a bit of cut in the ground helps her but it was good to firm last year. However, the last two furlongs are rising ground at Leopardstown, which helped her a bit.

“If it all goes to plan next weekend she will then go for the Prix de la Foret on Arc weekend and that would be it.

“If she can get a Group One win at seven furlongs as well, a trip she is unbeaten over, she will be very valuable indeed.”