*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
Leopardstown hosts one of the richest races of the season on day one of the Irish Champions Weekend.
A fantastic field of seven horses are set to go to post in Saturday’s 15:45 with French Derby and Coral-Eclipse winner Vadeni heading Paddy Power’s odds for the Irish Champion Stakes.
NEW TO PADDY POWER NEWS?
The likes of Golden Horn, Roaring Lion and St Mark’s Basilica have landed the race in recent years, but a new name will be added to the illustrious roll call.
We’ve had a leaf through the history books to try and pick out the winner of this year’s Irish Champion Stakes.
Form
There are three key form trends that the last 12 winners of the Irish Champion Stakes all achieved before scoring at Leopardstown – they all boasted at least three career wins, a previous success at Group 1 level and had been successful over a trip of at least 10 furlongs.
That means we can immediately scrub Stone Age from calculations.
Odds
You’ll probably want to focus on the top end of Paddy Power’s odds for the Irish Champion Stakes as 11 of the last 12 winners went off at single-digit starting prices and within the first four in the betting. The favourites also have a decent record in the race with five of the last 12 winners heading the market.
Alenquer, Broome and Stone Age (once again) fail to meet this trend.
Ratings
The official ratings are the final piece of the puzzle as 10 of the last 12 winners were rated 119 or higher. Only Alenquer (119), Mishriff (121) and Vadeni (123) boast a mark that meets the threshold.
Broome (118), Luxembourg (117), Onesto (118) and Stone Age (113) would all need to improve.
Verdict
Mishriff and Vadeni are the only runners in the field to tick all the boxes. Vadeni got the better of Mishriff by a neck in the Coral-Eclipse but John & Thady Gosden’s charge dwelt the start and didn’t get a clear run. The conditions of the race also mean Mishriff only has to give away 6lbs to Vadeni as opposed to the 9lbs when they last met. Luxembourg could get in the mix if he’s progressed since scoring in the Royal Whip Stakes, which came following a lengthy injury layoff.
READ MORE
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
- When is the Irish Champion Stakes 2022? Leopardstown date, start time, runners and betting
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
