SHAMROCK: They don’t come much bigger, or better, than this – it’s Irish Champion Stakes Day.
Getting the day started is the seven-furlong Listed Ingabelle Stakes (1.30pm), and Paddy Twomey’s EASY looks the one to be with. The daughter of Kodiac was seen back in July for her racecourse debut at Cork where she put in a very encouraging performance over the minimum distance to win nicely. The step up in trip should bring out even more improvement according to her breeding, and if so, she’ll be hard to beat.
Travelling over the same distance in the next race, but this time in handicap company (2.05pm). It might be worth sticking with Master Zoffany. Richard Fahey’s gelding has been seen in some valuable handicaps this season and now should be fresh from a break. Creeping down the weights, the four-year-old could enjoy himself on Irish soil for the first time.
The Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes (2.40pm) over the mile looks a prime opportunity for Auguste Rodin and Ballydoyle to get on the scoresheet. Ryan Moore taking this ride over another of Aidan O’Brien’s is a tip in itself and the son of Deep Impact can build on his impressive maiden win at Naas last time out.
The 1m4f Group 3 (3.15pm) looks like the ideal opportunity for Beamish to get back to winning ways. Paddy Twomey’s charge started the year by taking home a Listed event at Roscommon before competing in the G3 Ballyroan Stakes at this track last month. He would have learned plenty in those deeper waters and can bounce back here.
The feature race, the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (3.45pm), is what it’s all about and we like the look of Luxembourg for Aidan O’Brien. The son of Camelot dominated as a two-year-old last season but an injury setback after a solid display in the 2000 Guineas kept him off the track for a while. However, he got the job done in the Royal Whip Stakes last time on his comeback and can serve it up to favourite Vadeni if he steps forward from that.
The G2 Boomerang Mile (4.20pm) can go to Jadoomi. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained gelding is bidding for a hat-trick after landing a Listed event in France before following up in the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood. He looks a classy sort and Christophe Soumillon can pick up another overseas Group success here.
The G1 Matron Stakes (4.55pm) can very simply go to Homeless Songs. She was a destructive winner in the Irish 1000 Guineas and hasn’t been seen since due to the firmness of the ground. On a softer surface here and fresh from a racecourse gallop at the Curragh, she can show her class once again here.
The 1m5f handicap (5.25pm) rounds out the action from Leopardstown and it’s a seriously competitive affair. Nusretis the selection and after not quite firing in the Melrose at York the last day. He can give a better showing of himself for handler Joseph O’Brien here.
