*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Luxembourg spearheads the Ballydoyle battalion as trainer Aidan O’Brien spies a record-extending 11th win in the Irish Champion Stakes.
The Camelot colt, third in the 2000 Guineas before returning from a 105-day injury break to score in last month’s Royal Whip Stakes, faces six rivals including Coral-Eclipse hero Vadeni and multiple Group 1 winner Mishriff in Saturday’s battle of the generations at Leopardstown.
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Alenquer also brings Group 1 form to the table, Onesto is another to make the trip over from France, while Broome and Stone Age complete O’Brien’s squad.
The latest Irish Champion Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website, otherwise you’ll find Timeform’s snazzy runner-by-runner guide and an early tip from the boffins below.
Irish Champion Stakes runners
Alenquer
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 3
Stayed on strongly when winning Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May but got left behind by Vadeni and Mishriff in the Eclipse at Sandown since and vulnerable again.
***
Broome
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 6 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 7
Very smart horse who looked better than ever when winning Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, ridden aggressively from the front. Struggled in King George next time but back to form when fourth in Grade 1 at Saratoga 2 weeks ago, never nearer having missed the break. Ideally wants further than this.
**
Mishriff
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 5
High-class horse who recorded third Group 1 win of career when pulling 6 lengths clear in Juddmonte at York last summer. Yet to score this year but was arguably unlucky when edged out by Vadeni in Eclipse at Sandown. No Match for Baaeed in this season’s renewal of Juddmonte last time. Form pick.
****
Luxembourg
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 6
Won all 3 starts at 2 yrs, notably Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster. Good 2¼ lengths third of 15 to Coroebus in 2000 Guineas (9/2) at Newmarket on reappearance before making a winning return from injury in Group 3 at the Curragh (10f) last month, battling well. Remains with potential.
****
Onesto
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet Jockey: Stephane Pasquier Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4
Progressive colt from France who won a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud in May. Over 6 lengths behind Vadeni in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly next time, never nearer having been left with plenty to do. Back to winning ways in Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp (12f) since and not taken lightly.
****
Stone Age
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 1
Easily made all in Derby Trial over C&D but has found things tougher in 3 Grade 1s since, 3 lengths fifth of 10 to Nations Pride in Saratoga Derby at Saratoga (9.5f, firm) 35 days ago. Others preferred.
**
Vadeni
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget Jockey: Christophe Soumillon Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 2
Fast improving French colt who proved something of a revelation when easily landing Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly by 5 lengths, quickening clear final 1f. Backed that up when beating Mishriff (met trouble) in Eclipse at Sandown and probably has more to offer still.
*****
Irish Champion Stakes tips
Timeform: There was little between VADENI and Mishriff when first and second in the Eclipse at Sandown but 3-y-o Vadeni is open to further improvement while Mishriff has endured a couple of hard races in defeat since. Luxembourg remains potentially high-class so is another to consider.
READ MORE
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
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