Matron Stakes return a possible option for Persuasive

Persuasive could return to Leopardstown for a second stab at the Matron Stakes following her pleasing reappearance in France last month.

The daughter of Dark Angel won her first five starts for trainer John Gosden and owner Cheveley Park Stud before finding only Alice Springs too strong at Leopardstown last September.

She made her first competitive appearance since in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville and was far from disgraced in finishing fifth, beaten less than two lengths.

Cheveley Park's managing director, Chris Richardson, said: "We were thrilled with how she ran. You could see with the way the race was unfolding that she was going to end up the meat in the sandwich and that's how it played out. She just didn't get a run when she needed it.

"I was impressed by the way she put her head down and ran to the line, though, and she seems to have come out of it well.

"She's got plenty of entries. We'll look at the Matron again and there's also the Sun Chariot at Newmarket, so we'll see which way we go."