FOUR GROUP RACES INCLUDING TWO GROUP ONE’S: SHAMROCK is all over today’s Irish Champions Stakes card at Leopardstown this afternoon and previews each of the big races. The big question is how much rain will arrive?
What a day at Leopardstown !!
Let’s start with the going. Leopardstown tweeted this morning:
“Going report: GOOD after 7mm of rain overnight. FORECAST: Showers, some possibly heavy throughout the day.”
We’ll see just how heavy those showers get – remember the big race, the Irish Champion Stakes, is a late kick-off at 6.50pm.
5:15 ICON Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes (Group 3) (2yo, Class 1, 1m, 4 runners)
The first of the Group races on the card has been reduced to a field of four following the withdrawal of Exogenesis. Aidan O’Brien saddles half the field with Curragh maiden winner Australia and Killarney winner Kingfisher but both may play second fiddle to the Dermot Weld trained Free Eagle who made a stunning debut over course and distance here when storming home by 5 1/2 lengths. The biggest danger may be the weather. His trainer has stated he doesn’t want extremes of ground so will be perfectly happy to see the forecast rain delayed.
SELECTION: Free Eagle
5:45 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) (3yo+, Class 1, 1m, 12 runners)
It’s a race where the three-year-olds have an equal record with their elders over recent years but also one in which the market leaders have dominated. It’s a very open renewal this year and hard to find a stand out contender. BETDAQ has Kenhope favourite and she put in a good run at Group 1 level last time out in France when third to Elusive Kate and Duntle in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. That was an excellent effort and any rain, which seems likely, will boost her claims further in a race where many are unproven at the top level.
SELECTION: Kenhope
6:15 KPMG Enterprise Stakes (Group 3) (3yo+, Class 1, 1m 2f, 7 runners)
The United States bounced back from a disappointing effort over course and distance to win at Tipperary last time out but I am not convinced I want to be backing him at 2.88 on BETDAQ given that his disappointment came over track, distance and it’s also not inconceivable that the going could be the same (soft) too. He looks a lay at current prices.
SELECTION: The United States (LAY)
6:50 Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) (3yo+, Class 1, 1m 2f, 8 runners)
A superb renewal with the front two in the market both having really busy campaigns. Again, the going will be the big factor – if it arrives (as forecast) then surely Declaration Of War’s chances of confirming York form with Al Kazeem are diminished? The Juddmonte International Stakes is the crucial line of form. It was run on good to firm ground and Declaration Of War was a revelation that day winning well and Al Kazeem, who was sent off the 11/8 favourite, 2 3/4 lengths back in third. Another of today’s rivals, Trading Leather, split the pair. The Fugue is another who won well at York but also another who will not be suited by the rain. I am going to take a chance on Kingsbarns, win and place. He was very good when winning the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, will be suited by soft ground which it might well be by 6.50pm, and will hopefully be fit enough despite the lengthy absence.
SELECTION: Kingsbarns (WIN and PLACE)
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
5.15 Free Eagle (NAP)
6.15 Kenhope
6.45 The United States (LAY)
6.50 Kingsbarns (WIN and PLACE)
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