Bethrah primed for Leopardstown return

Bethrah starts what could be a fascinating autumn campaign when she returns to action in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown tomorrow.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly has not raced since getting up in the dying strides to land the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May.

Although connections believe neither the distance nor the ground will be perfect, they are keen to get the daughter of Marju back on the racecourse.

“It’s great to see her back on the track. Dermot originally hoped to run her in the Coronation at Royal Ascot but she worked a bit flat, so we had no option and gave her a break,” said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

“Dermot kept her for an autumn campaign. She won’t mind a bit of easy ground, but the ground will be quick enough by the sound of it in Ireland.

“The other thing is everybody thought she’d get a mile and a quarter. The mile will be plenty sharp enough for her now. It’s really a starting point and it will tell us where we are going from here.

“It’s a strong-looking race, but we have to start back somewhere.”