France on Matilda Picotte's agenda Kieran Cotter is considering sending stable star Matilda Picotte to France for the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. The Sioux Nation filly ran a cracker in third in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month before finishing fourth in a Group 2 sprint at Haydock. The trainer said: "Definitely (fourth place in Haydock boosted when the third, Bradsell, won the King's Stand at Royal Ascot) and we were on the wrong side in Haydock, and it was reported that she did tremendously well to finish where she did. "We had a rethink and just said we would give her a break, and she came back in last week. She is 35kg heavier than when she went out which is unbelievable, she is still growing. "We will plan something for her in August, she might go to France. The Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a-half furlongs in Deauville is a possibility." When asked about her entry in the Group 1 Matron Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown in September, he replied: "I discussed it with the owners and better to have her in it than not. When I entered her in the 1000 Guineas people were saying I was mad, and what a run. "We are leaving our options open. Ideally, she would like a bit of cut in the ground." Matilda Picotte was third in last season's Group 2 Lowther over six furlongs at York and signed off that campaign with a victory in Listed class over seven furlongs in Newmarket.
