Special Agent can land Leger

LAST year’s impressive scorer Brown Panther and former football star ownerbreeder Michael Owen are back at the Curragh tomorrow seeking to double up in what has all the hallmarks of a vintage Irish St Leger showdown. The final Irish Classic of 2015, backed by the Comer brothers’ Palmerstown House Estate, headlines an eight-race programme featuring 40 British challengers to bring down the curtain on our second €4million Champions Weekend initiative. Brown Panther foiled Ballydoyle hotpot Leading Light in a tactical St Leger clash 12 months ago and Aidan O’Brien has signified his intention to gain revenge by rerouting recent course-and-distance winner Order Of St George to headquarters rather than tackling today’s English equivalent at Doncaster. Victorious last March in Dubai as well, Owen’s veteran returns on what will be very different, more testing going after a four-month summer break due to injury and looks vulnerable this time against fellow raiders Agent Murphy and Second Step, never mind local hopes Order Of St George and Forgotten Rules. The latter five-year-old, which seeks an eighth Leger success for Dermot Weld’s yard, will relish the prediction for more heavy showers overnight. As indeed will Limerick native Brian Meehan, whose Manton stable has made a welcome return to Group level courtesy of Agent Murphy. Jimmy Fortune’s mount sailed through the mud to score in Group Three company at Newbury four weeks ago and is nominated to produce the sort of finishing kick that will be required to see off Forgotten Rules, Brown Panther and the younger Order Of St George. In contrast, Meehan’s smart juvenile Blue Bayou, which has the Moyglare Stud Stakes in her sights, along with fellow English hope Great Page, has yet to prove she’s effective in the soft against the likes of Ballydoyle and Tanaza. Marginal preference is for Ballydoyle here, which is more experienced and the ante-post favourite for next year’s English Guineas.