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Irish Champions Weekend preview: Leopardstown selections

Updated / Saturday, 14 Sep 2019 08:42
The ill-fated Roaring Lion mowed down Saxon Warrior in the dying strides of last season's Irish Champion Stakes
The ill-fated Roaring Lion mowed down Saxon Warrior in the dying strides of last season's Irish Champion Stakes

A compelling weekend's action for the sports fan.

In Dublin alone, we have the All-Ireland football final replay, the semi-finals of the Irish Greyhound Derby and the first day of Irish Champions Weekend.

It is the latter that I will attend. The truly adventurous and indefatigable among you may even manage to perm any two of the three.

1.55 Ballylinch Stud Ingabelle Stakes
Lady Jane Wilde looked the real deal on debut at the Curragh. Her new connections obviously felt the same way. She faces very different conditions tomorrow. That's a concern, but the odds of reward are fair compensation. Raven's Cry looks a rock solid favourite and is greatly feared.

Selection: Lady Jane Wilde 10-1

2.30 Irish Stallion Farms Petingo Handicap
Machine Learner bids to atone for an unlucky defeat in this race two years ago. His form this season suggests a peak effort is forthcoming. He hails from an in form yard and the handicapper gives him a sporting chance. Effernock Fizz could be dangerous if let loose on the lead. Despite being badly treated, a big run at rewarding odds wouldn't surprise.

Selection: Machine Learner 12-1

3.05 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes
Mogul should justify short odds here. His Curragh win has been boosted since. An exciting horse. Agitare should enjoy the quicker ground and looks a value shout for forecast purposes.

Selection: Mogul 4-9

3.40 Paddy Power Betting Shop Stakes
Broad Street was a touch disappointing on his first step into stakes company. He didn't have a great trip that day though, and should be more streetwise for the experience. At a double-figure price, it's worth chancing him. He remains a staying prospect of some potential. Buckhurst and Leo De Fury renew rivalry here. There shouldn't be much between them and both look bound to go close.

Selection: Broad Street 12-1

4.15 Qipco Irish Champion Stakes
Hard to get away from Magical. She seems almost certain to run to her rating in the low 120s. With her fillies allowance, that means her rivals will have to run to something in the mid-120s. She faces some interesting rivals, but none look capable of scaling those lofty heights. Headman is most respected. The likely strong pace should see him post a career best.

Selection: Magical 15-8

4.50 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Stakes
Lancaster House has been making up for lost time in a hurry. He can take another step up here. While improvement is necessary, it's also highly likely. He has coped with a variety of ground conditions. His pedigree suggests the quicker ground he'll get here will prove optimal. Suedois won this race in 2017. His recent efforts mean a repeat is eminently possible.

Selection: Lancaster House 2-1

5.25 Coolmore Matron Stakes
A pretty ordinary renewal. Laurens has been well placed throughout her career. This looks another good opportunity. Hermosa looked in rude health earlier in the summer. She got into an awful state in the preliminaries before flopping at Goodwood. Anyone backing her to bounce back would be well advised to check out her pre-race demeanour.

Selection: Laurens 7-4

6.00 Irish Stallion Farms Sovereign Path Handicap

Current Option looks to have a good chance of reversing Irish Cambridgeshire form with Jassaar. This will be just his eighth career start and the weight swing is considerable. His ability to sit handy could also prove an asset here. Ice Cold In Alex should run well. He has a tricky draw but will still likely find a way into the frame.

Selection: Current Option 7-1

Follow Longines Irish Champions Weekend live on RTÉ.ie/sport, the News Now app, RTÉ One television and RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday and Sunday.

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