VESPERTILIO faces 11 rivals in Sunday’s Group 1 Haras d’Etreham Prix Jean Prat , where she drops down to the seven-furlong trip of last season’s Group 2 Debutante Stakes success and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes second.

“I think the drop down in trip will suit,” trainer Willie McCreery said on Thursday. “They’ll go a bit faster and she should settle a bit better. She has a high cruising speed, so I think she’ll be more effective at the end of the race.”

The Al Shira’aa Racing-owned filly went close on her seasonal return in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, where she was beaten half a length into third. Runner-up Kathmandu and the fourth horse Romantic Style will reoppose on Sunday at Deauville.

Stakes targets

Willie McCreery’s stable is in good form, having gained a valuable win on Irish Derby weekend when Amazon Lady made virtually all in the Rockingham Stakes. On Madeline Burns’ homebred, McCreery commented: “She’s up to a rating of 101, which is great for a broodmare, and she already has blacktype. She’ll go for the Sweet Mimosa Stakes next and that will be her last run as she’s in foal.”

McCreery also revealed that Ocean Jewel, who impressed in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes earlier this season, will be aimed at the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at the end of August.

He is also looking forward to stepping three-year-old filly Jancis up in class in the Brownstown Stakes at Leopardstown next week. The daughter of Tamayuz became a first Irish winner for Chilean-based owner/breeder Arturo Cousino when making a stylish debut at the track last month.