Champers Elysees primed for Foxrock Trainer Johnny Murtagh has a star on his hands with the filly Champers Elysees who has won her last three starts in fine style and has risen steadily in he ratings. She's set to take her place in the Coolmore ‘America’ Justify Matron Stakes on day one of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday. Murtagh says Champers Elysees’s progression has surprised him. "She has (surprised) a little bit. I did think at the start of the year, when she did really well and her work was good, and when she won in the Curragh I thought definitely this one will get some black-type," Murtagh said. "She was supposed to be sold and the deal fell through. She missed a little bit of time going through the vetting process and I thought going to Galway she might just need the run, but her performance in Galway kind of blew me away. I was very surprised the way she won, the way she travelled, the way she quickened on ground that we weren't sure about. "Since Galway she has had a very clear run. Everything has gone smoothly for her and her work has been good. She hasn't missed a day. "At the start of the year did I think she was going to be rated 110? No. She has a great heart. She has always been a couple of lengths behind Know It All, but she is getting close to her now."
