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Joseph O'Brien voices concerns over suitability of Matron Stakes trip for Tapestry

Few pundits would contend that Tapestry's optimum trip is a mile
Few pundits would contend that Tapestry's optimum trip is a mile

Joseph O'Brien admits dropping down half a mile in trip is "not ideal" for Tapestry in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Always highly regarded, she was sent off 4-1 favourite for the Newmarket 1000 Guineas in May but ran no sort of a race.

She shaped a little better in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, and could then have been considered an unlucky loser in the Irish Oaks as her saddle slipped.

After that she caused one of the shocks of the season when beating King George heroine Taghrooda in the Yorkshire Oaks.

O'Brien told RTÉ Sport: "Tapestry won very well at York but she's coming back considerably in trip to a mile.

"It's not ideal but we're hoping she'll run a big race."

Coronation Stakes winner Rizeena renews rivalry with Tapestry and returns to action against her own sex for the Clive Brittain operation.

She was last seen finishing fourth behind Kingman in the Prix Jacques le Marois in France.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: "She's in great form. Ryan Moore has been doing all the work on her, as usual.

"Looking at the race, I think she has a good winning chance.

"She ran a great race last time, she is maybe a bit fresher now and we know she's a very good miler.

"I wouldn't mind seeing a drop of rain, although it rarely gets rattling fast in Ireland.

"It's a race I think she should win and I would certainly be disappointed if she's not in the first three."

Willie McCreery's Fiesolana has been running well in good company all year but still needs to prove her effectiveness over a mile rather than seven furlongs.

"She's run well over a mile this year but I'd still rather it was over seven," said McCreery.

"She gets the mile and the ground being decent will help her get it.

"She's in great form, she has a nice draw and the ground is fine, all her wins in Ireland last year were on watered ground.

"Tapestry has a little bit to prove coming back to a mile, I wonder if they are going to go a million miles an hour to make it a real test for her.

"All going well we'll head to France for the Foret after this."

Mick Channon is sending over Wee Jean but his son Michael jnr is aware she faces a tough test.

"Wee Jean is as game as a pebble and has shown she's up to trying for black type. This is a big step up in class, but she'll certainly keep them honest," he said.

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