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Kyprios faces just four rivals in the Irish St Leger as last year’s winner makes his belated return to the track.
It’s been an injury-plagued campaign for the staying superstar but Ballydoyle master Aidan O’Brien has given the green light for Sunday’s 16:35 at the Curragh, the feature on the second day of the Irish Champions Festival.
Despite the potential for quick ground, stablemate Emily Dickinson is declared to join in the action. Last year’s St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov, Royal Ascot winner Dawn Rising and Levmoss Stakes scorer Yashin complete the line up.
The latest Irish St Leger odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Irish St Leger tips
Timeform: This year’s renewal of the Irish St Leger features the much-awaited return to action of the outstanding KYPRIOS who was unstoppable over 1¾m+ last year and can make light of his absence and land a fifth Group 1 win in a row. Stablemate Emily Dickinson can give him most to do.
Irish St Leger runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Irish St Leger 2023.
Dawn Rising
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Declan McDonogh Age: 6 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 1
Very useful novice hurdle for this yard last winter and has continued in good form back on the Flat, winning Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot before ½-length second to Shamida in a C&D Group 3 21 days ago. This a lot harder.
**
Eldar Eldarov
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: David Egan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 2
Last year’s St Leger winner at Doncaster who stepped up on even that form when second under a Group 1 penalty in the Yorkshire Cup on his reappearance. Below that level when seventh in Gold Cup at Ascot and fourth in Goodwood Cup since and will need to be back to his very best to trouble Kyprios.
***
Kyprios
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 5 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 5
Won 4 Group 1s in an outstanding 2022 season, including this race. Produced one of the best performances by a stayer for years when a remarkable 20-length winner of Cadran at Longchamp on final start. This a belated return after suffering a setback in the spring but he should still be hard to beat.
*****
Yashin
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 4 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 3
Smart gelding who had Dawn Rising behind in third when winning 1¾m Leopardstown Group 3 on his reappearance in May. Not in the same form when well beaten behind Emily Dickinson in a C&D Group 2 in July but back to form when 3 lengths seventh of 22 in Ebor at York last month.
**
Emily Dickinson
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Age: 4 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 4
Won the Group 2 Curragh Cup over C&D in between fine in-frame efforts in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup (best of the rest behind the field-slipping Quickthorn). Can follow stablemate Kyprios home.
****
Irish Champions Festival Tips
- Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s Sunday ante-post picks for the Irish Champions Festival
- Horse Racing Tips: Ryan McCue’s ante-post Irish Champions Festival preview
Read More on the Irish Champions Festival
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Irish St Leger? Curragh date, start time, runners and betting
- Irish Champions Festival 2023 race times and schedule for Leopardstown & the Curragh
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