Lashes faces Matron test

Jim Bolger admits conditions at Leopardstown are unlikely to be ideal for Lush Lashes when she lines up in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes tomorrow.

The daughter of Galileo has enjoyed a successful season, winning the Musidora Stakes over a mile and a quarter, the Coronation Stakes over a mile and the Yorkshire Oaks over a mile and a half at Newmarket last time.

However, the filly’s most disappointing run of the campaign came in testing conditions at the Curragh back in March and Bolger is hoping she handles the ground better this time around.

“The ground probably isn’t perfect but we are going to let her take her chance,” said Bolger.

“When we ran her in heavy ground early this year she ran a bit freely and maybe she wasn’t as ready as we should have had her.

“We’re going to give her another chance as she is in great form at home and the trip makes no difference to her.”

Carribean Sunset is set to take her chance in the Group One contest – as long as the Leopardstown card goes ahead.

Torrential rain has hit Dublin, causing concern for connections of many of the top runners in both this race and the feature Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes.

But Dermot Weld’s filly will not be inconvenienced by heavy ground as she was a course-and-distance winner in similar conditions in the Desmond Stakes.

Weld earmarked the daughter of Danehill Dancer for one of his frequent raids to the USA after she finished third to Lush Lashes in the Coronation Stakes, but she could only take fourth in the American Oaks after encountering travel problems.

Curragh-based Weld has a big weekend to anticipate, as the meeting also beckons the return of Famous Name in the At The Races Kilternan Stakes.

The colt was only beaten a head on his most recent start in the French Derby and is dropped back to Group Three level.

Weld reported: “Both horses are very well and if racing is on, they will both run, but there has to be a doubt about the meeting.”