Murtagh set to thrust Cadeau Belle into Matron Stakes

Johnny Murtagh is planning to pitch the lightly-raced Cadeau Belle into Group One company in next week's Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

The three-year-old looked progressive in winning her first two starts, in a Gowran maiden and a Navan Listed heat, before being upped to Group Three level for the Valiant Stakes at Ascot in July.

Sent off the 15-8 favourite that day, Cadeau Belle was keen from the off and eventually finished last of the nine runners in the mile affair.

Murtagh hopes the application of a hood can help manage her eager attitude and is favouring sending the daughter of Harry Angel for the top-level event, rather than taking up her alternate entry in the Group Two Dullingham Park Stakes.

He said: "I'm not sure what happened to her the last time, I really fancied her going to Ascot. (Jamie) Spencer said she was too keen and boiled over at the start, she has a hood on now so I think we might go for the Matron.

"I know it's going to be a good race, but it's the kind of race I had in mind all the time. We will probably let her take her chance there.

"She's been working well again, the hood is on and that should help her relax."

Ladies Church could also fly the Group One flag for the yard in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes.

The four-year-old was a Group Two winner last year but has yet to sparkle in three runs this term, with Murtagh thinking soft ground had gone against her twice while last week's Nunthorpe had a lightning early pace.

The trainer said: "I ran her on soft ground twice this year and she didn't really like it. I fancied her a little bit going to York last week but they went so fast she never really got on the bridle. She will go for the Flying Five."

Mashhoor