LION TO ROAR IN CHAMPION
THERE is a mouthwatering clash in store at Leopardstown on Saturday in the Group One Irish Champion Stakes.
The John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior, one of six entered by Aidan O’Brien, are due to meet for the sixth time with the former ahead three two at the moment.
There are 10 possibles at the latest forfeit stage and Roaring Lion is an 8-11 shot with most bookmakers to follow up his impressive perfor mance in York’s Juddmonte International Stakes.
There was a feeling that Saxon Warrior was going to be world beater when he ran away with the 2,000 Guineas in May but has not really delivered, though he did run Roaring Lion to a neck in the Coral Eclipse.
O’Brien could also run Deauville, Rhododendron, Seahenge, Athena and Magical.
Jim Bolger’s Verbal Dexterity is another possible after a pleasing comeback at the Curragh having won the National Stakes on this weekend 12 months ago.
There could be a French raider in the shape of French Derby winner, Study Of Man, who finished third behind Knight To Behold in France last time out.
The only other possible is William Haggas’ Addeybb, who began the season with wins in the Lincoln at Doncaster and a Group Two at Sandown before finding the ground too fast in the Lockinge.
The quality continues with the brilliant Alpha Centauri among the 16 fillies confirmed for the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes.
Jessica Harrington’s three-yearold has arguably been the star of the season so far, winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes, the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Jacques le Marois.
Favourite
She will be a red-hot favourite to extend her Group One tally to five on the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend.
Aidan O’Brien has seven remaining contendersincludingRhododendron, Magical, Happily and Athena.
The potential British challenge is headed by Karl Burke’s star filly Laurens. He has also left in Ellthea.
“Laurens is in great form. I couldn’t be happier with her. Laurens definitely runs, and we’ll see what happens weather-wise for Ellthea,” said the trainer
Mick Channon could send Dan’s Dream across the Irish Sea. Dermot Weld’s impressive recent Cork scorer Making Light is also in the mix.
The Curragh stage day two of the Irish Champions weekend but Royal Ascot winner Blue Point will not be strutting his stuff in Sunday’s Derrinstown Stud Flying Five due to a dirty scope.
His attentions will now be switched to Ascot’s Champions Day instead.
“He scoped dirty, which is unfortunate, but we look ahead now to British Champions Day at Ascot next month, where he has an entry in the Group One Sprint, over six furlongs,” said his trainer Charlie
Appleby.