Matron Stakes (9th Sept)

makes sense to keep winter to a 1m 2f

not sure winning the matron on the bit  at 4/9 does for her

With Churchill looking like he is campaigned at 10f now, seems strange to me why they would run Winter in this, when to my eyes, the qe2 at ascot would be more logical for breeding purposes...champion miler and group 1 winner over further and the race looks more winnable.

If Winter does not run here (it's looking increasingly likely now with Rhododendron in the picture) this could be a prelude to a tilt at the Arc as apart from Highland Reel AOB does not have a credible challenger to Enable and possibly Cracksman, if Gosden is double handed; perhaps later Winter could then revert back to a mile for the QE2 on Champions Day.

Winter could follow the footsteps of Found given stamina has been proven in the Nassau on soft ground; AOB could run her at Chantilly - nothing to lose given AOB has Roly Poly and Rhododendron (unlikely to be pitched over 12f again), I believe.

I think Winter will run in the Matron, but not the Arc

Winter is evens and Roly Poly is 2/1 backed down from 8/1 several days ago despite been beaten many times by the former; the other two AOB's charges eg Rhododendron and Alice Springs are 7/1 and 12/1 respectively. The question is would AOB run four very good fillies in the Matron?

I understand AOB has indicated today this is the likely target for Winter, but why is Roly Poly only 2/1 (backed down from 8/1 several days ago), and Winter so generous at even money having opened 4/7 last week? I do not think Winter will take on Churchill either in the Irish Champion but where will she run next?

I'd like to see Winter run here given the formidable foreign oppositions eg Qemah and Persuasive but would be pleasantly surprised if she did.

AOB has just divulged Winter missed 7/8 days of work after bruising a foot post the Nassau rce, and she'd come on for the race. How very helpful for a horse who is odds-on; if so, Churchill will be better value in an easier race than the Juddmonte, I think, than Winter here against the likes of Qemah, Persuasive and Roly Poly.

This is so typical of this bunch of crooks. Possibly the best horse in the country and he fails to tell us she has a bruised foot and missed 7 or 8 days works. We only find out on the day of her race. It's about time this bunch of crooks was called exactly what they are instead of drooling all over them as if they are gods. They are not. This is no accident. I have read the recent reports on Winter and there was no mention of any problems. They are crooks.

'surely the interrupted preparation caught her out'. Bookmaking Crooks. No, I didn't have a bet.

Dunno about crooks but after that result they're increasingly looking like dart chuckers

Why ran her in a Gp 1 race if she was that race rusty? She ran her opposition into the ground over 10f in the Nassau but could not hold on here over 8f here; she was rumoured to be seriously considered for the Irish Champion Stake too. How bizzare is that!

Tahiyra is making her reappearance after a break post winning the Coronation Stakes at Ascot in June. She's 'even' money. I think it's a stonking price without the calibre of Mawj. She also gets her ground, and a decent draw.

Looking forward to Irish champion.
Very tricky renewal for me this year with no real stand out.
I think we are getting the right price today on king of thieves so I’ve played him. I make him nearer 7/4 hear and against a poor bunch I see him making the necessary improvement to see off these horses.
All the best whatever you play

Well done Impossible123

I’m afraid put away by the jockey. Stott and Doyle showed their inexperience of riding leopardstown in the champion. And ballydoyle gave them both 3 cheers for playing there tune

Very hard to defeat a three horse team with just one if they are fairly evenly matched. Comparable to an individual cyclist winning the Tour de France, you have to have very big margin of superiority. That is why I don't bet in Ireland.

The peloton is a classic example. A sacrifice from a teammate is necessary for a team win. Godolphin have lost quite a few Group races without deploying one or now.