Gowran Park

She has been off the track for 199 days — the longest absence in the entire field — so there is a real question mark over how sharp she is returning from such a lengthy break. Trained by Dermot Weld, whose yard has been ticking over with winners recently, and the jockey-trainer partnership here has combined for over 100 wins together, which counts for something. That 4th on her second run was a small step forward, but she needs a big leap now.

Making her debut here, and while there is no form to go on, her trainer Johnny Murtagh has been the busiest winning trainer in this field over the past two weeks — four winners from 20 runners. Bred by Space Blues out of a Pivotal mare, she comes from a family associated with speed rather than the stamina needed for today's longer trip on wet ground. The trainer's form is encouraging; the breeding raises questions about the conditions.

Making her racecourse debut today with absolutely no form to assess — what happens in the next few minutes is genuinely unknown. The jockey and trainer combination here is one of the strongest in the field, having combined for 115 wins from 392 races together, so she arrives with professional support. Bred by Dark Angel out of a Lope De Vega mare, suggesting a horse with speed in her blood, though today's wet ground may not play to those strengths.

The editorial verdict singles out Mathoura as the top selection, and it is based on breeding rather than form — she is a half-sister to two French winners and her dam won over distances that match today's 1 mile 2 furlongs well. She has never raced before so there is nothing on the clock, but the pedigree fits this trip on this ground more neatly than most in the field. Trainer Jessica Harrington has sent out over 50 winners already this season, so this horse arrives prepared.