Alice dazzles in the Matron

Given the talent at their disposal things were always going to turn right for Ballydoyle after earlier reverses. It all came good in considerable style as Alice Springs came back to her best to blitz the opposition in the Group 1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes.

As favourite Qemah (eventually third) did too much too soon, Alice Springs switched off beautifully at the back of the field.

Once asked to quicken down the outer in the straight by Ryan Moore, the successful chestnut displayed a sizzling change of gear to lead and assert inside the final furlong for a three and a quarter length win over Persuasive

"It was a bit of a disaster in France. She went and it was shifty, patchy ground in Deauville," explained Aidan O'Brien.

"Ryan knew she wasn't going to be involved so he just minded her.

"She's a very good filly. You saw what she did in the Falmouth as well. She has a lot of speed.

"She quickened up very well. She's very pacey.

"There is a chance she could go to the Queen Elizabeth. She might get further someday but she has a lot of speed.

"She's made for the Breeders Cup on fast ground. We'll look at the Breeders Cup mile or something like that. She was a little unlucky in the Breeders Cup last year.

"She's hardy and she could do both but it depends on what the ground is like at Ascot."

On the Doncaster Leger meanwhile he commented: "It's racing - there is no law. There are so many variables and that was one that you couldn't think of happening (Idaho stumbling and unseating).

"He put a foot on a divot and it just went away and it just unbalanced him. It's just amazing. What were the chances of that happening.

"Seamus (Heffernan) is on the way to get scans now but he's grand. I spoke to him on the phone. He said he was cantering."

Housesofparliament finished third and O'Brien said: "It was a little bit unfortunate when it happened as Colm (O'Donoghue) probably had to commit but he ran a good race.

"When that happens in a bunch of them a lot of stuff changes very quickly."

On earlier runners - Us Army Ranger, the Ballydoyle maestro commented: "He ran very well." Bondi Beach (finished third) to prompt the remark: "He ran a lovely race and he's coming lovely. He might run in the Melbourne Cup next."

Paddy Power go 7/2 favourite from 11/2 about Alice Springs for the Breeders Cup Fillies and Mares Turf.

They go 9/2 Alice Springs for the Breeders Cup Mile.

The Stewards requested a report from A.P.O'Brien, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Alice Springs, placed first, as compared with its recent run. A.P. O'Brien reported that his charge has raced at Deauville twice and has disappointed on both occasions. He added that the ground was patchy in places on the last occasion and this would have affected her final placing. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

(GC & EM)