Leopardstown Preview
Friday 3 September 2010
Only six runners line up for the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday but several of them are right out of the top drawer and an exciting race is in prospect.
The field for the Group One contest is headed by Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over, who finished first and second in a thrilling Juddmonte International at York last time out.
Twice Over looked the likely winner in the final furlong of that race, but Aidan O'Brien's charge produced a sustained challenge to get there in the shadow of the post and the rematch promises to be enthralling.
The Ballydoyle handler runs three, with Rip Van Winkle backed by Irish Derby hero Cape Blanco and recent Desmond Stakes winner Beethoven, while Famous Name is unbeaten this season and Sea Lord has won his last four.
The other Group One on the card is the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes, in which Bethrah returns to the racecourse after her narrow victory in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May.
Dermot Weld's filly is opposed by Coronation Stakes winner Lillie Langtry, who disappointed in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last time, and Music Show, who won that race and has since finished second to supermare Goldikova.
Spacious, Gile Na Greine and Jacqueline Quest are others with high-class form, and Hen Night is no slouch, either.
Nanton and South Easter make the trip from Britain for the Kilternan Stakes (Group Three) and have the ability to make an impact, while several home contenders have questions to answer, including Noll Wallop, Icon Dream and Await The Dawn.
Aidan O'Brien takes the opportunity to debut a battery of youngsters in the two juvenile maidens, the first of them opening the card at 1.40, while there are also two premier handicaps.
Hard Rock City is seeking back-to-back victories in the thetote.com September Handicap, while a hot-looking Irish Stallion Farms EBF Autumn Fillies Handicap features five last-time-out winners as well as Dermot Weld's recent York Listed runner-up Sense Of Purpose.
