Prix de l'Opera next for Fallen Angel after 'phenomenal' Matron run - plus possible Champions Day return for Wathnan star

Wathnan Racing are hoping major purchase Fallen Angel can build on her "phenomenal" return to action in the Matron Stakes when she goes up in trip for the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day.

The Moyglare and Irish 1,000 Guineas winner was purchased by the Emir of Qatar's outfit before the Irish Champions Festival and the Karl Burke-trained filly ran an excellent race to finish second to Porta Fortuna on Saturday.

"We were absolutely delighted with Fallen Angel," said Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown. "She ran a phenomenal race against Porta Fortuna, who is as good as there is around at this distance. Having been off for over 100 days it was a tough ask.

"She wasn’t under our management earlier on in the season but she just had a bit of bone bruising. She's a top-class filly and everyone wanted to give her the time. She’s come out of the race great."

While Fallen Angel holds an entry in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile on Qipco British Champions Day, connections believe the step up to a mile and a quarter can bring out improvement and will try the trip for the first time on October 6.

Fallen Angel (second): returned with an excellent effort behind Porta Fortuna in the Matron StakesCredit: Caroline Norris

Brown said: "We feel going up in trip will help her so we’re going to aim her at the Prix de l’Opera. It looks the right fit for her. It’s always race-by-race but hopefully the plan is she’ll race next year."

As well as Fallen Angel and the sidelined Haatem, another Wathnan horse set to race on next year is last year's Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami. The stayer could yet return this season and appear on Champions Day in the Long Distance Cup, in which Gregory is a doubtful runner due to the likely soft ground.

"Hopefully Courage Mon Ami will run, but we’re going to let him tell us when he’s ready," Brown said. "He’s back cantering and we’re giving him all of the time in the world and won’t take any risks with him. He’s a very important horse for Wathnan.

"It’s definitely a possibility, but that’s all it is at this stage. We’ll know more depending on how he trains over the coming weeks. I saw him about ten days ago and he looks great. He’s full of beans and moving very well. I think it would be one run and then put him away."

Champions Sprint entries Shartash and English Oak could also run pending their next runs, while star juveniles Aesterius and Shareholder are being earmarked to run against each other at the Breeders' Cup.

"Aesterius and Shareholder will both head to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and it’s very exciting if they both get there," Brown said. "Everything was against Shareholder in the Morny, particularly the distance, as he’s all about speed and fast ground. Hopefully Del Mar will be far more suitable for him.

"Aesterius has been a rapidly improving colt and he’ll go there with all of the credentials. He’s got gate speed and he can be up on the pace, while he also has experience. I have no doubt, being by Mehmas, he’ll handle the firm ground. Archie Watson's going to freshen him up and that will be his end-of-season target."

Rogue Lightning will head to the Prix de l'Abbaye, while Map Of Stars and Space Legend are unlikely runners in the Champion Stakes as well as Melo Melo and Lope De Lilas in the Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Wathnan are also unlikely to be represented in the Arc, with Fast Tracker their only remaining entry.

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